Chowdhury Ashik Mahmud Bin Harun, Executive Chairman of the Bangladesh Investment Development Authority (BIDA), announced today that a substantial $800 million investment is set to be made in the existing container terminal at Laldia Char, situated on the southeastern bank of the Karnaphuli River in Chattogram.
Speaking to journalists during a visit to the area, he underscored the significance of this development: “Our annual FDI inflow typically does not exceed $700 million. Therefore, a single project drawing $800 million is a game-changer for our economy. It will generate extensive employment opportunities. BIDA is actively overseeing the progress of this initiative.”
Chowdhury Ashik, who also serves as the Executive Chairman of the Bangladesh Economic Zones Authority (BEZA), made the remarks during a media briefing held after his visit to Laldia Char in the city’s Patenga area earlier in the day.
The visit was attended by key officials, including Press Secretary to the Chief Advisor Shafiqul Alam, Deputy Press Secretary Mohammad Abul Kalam Azad Majumder, and Chattogram Port Authority (CPA) Chairman Rear Admiral SM Moniruzzaman.
After inspecting the New Mooring Container Terminal of Chittagong Port, the BIDA chief told reporters, “Dhaka may be the political capital, but Chattogram is poised to be our commercial capital. It is central to our economic aspirations and is expected to play a defining role in shaping Bangladesh’s future.”
He stressed that job creation—particularly for Chattogram’s residents—remains a top priority. “Economic growth must be at the forefront of every government’s agenda. Upgrading our port infrastructure to global standards will accelerate business expansion,” he noted.
The BIDA chairman and his delegation are conducting a day-long tour of Chattogram to evaluate development prospects and investment potential in critical port and maritime infrastructure.
This visit comes ahead of Chief Advisor Prof. Muhammad Yunus’s anticipated arrival in Chattogram on May 14, when he is expected to further assess regional investment opportunities.
Chowdhury Ashik clarified that no local investment is projected for the Laldia terminal development. “This is a landmark opportunity for Bangladesh. Our ambition is to transform the country into a global manufacturing hub. The Laldia site will evolve into a green port with this $800 million investment.”
He highlighted the need for long-term planning to expand port capabilities. Acknowledging that even a sixfold expansion of port capacity would leave Bangladesh trailing countries like Vietnam, he called for collaboration with global experts to optimize space and operational efficiency.
Port development, he emphasized, is fundamental to Bangladesh’s overarching economic roadmap. “To position Bangladesh as a manufacturing leader, we must partner with world-class port management institutions,” he said.
He also disclosed that a committee has been set up to establish a free trade zone in the country, with Anwara currently being considered as a possible site.
APM Terminals, a subsidiary of AP Moller Maersk, commenced operations at the Laldia Terminal in 2024. Initially estimated to attract between $300 to $400 million, the investment volume has since doubled to $800 million, confirmed the BEZA Chairman.
The project will be implemented under a public-private partnership (PPP) framework and a government-to-government (G2G) arrangement, adhering to the Build-Operate-Transfer (BOT) model.
SMS/
