Chattogran Port Authority (CPA) chairman Rear Admiral SM Moniruzzaman talking to the journalists at a press confernce at Chattogram port. Photo: BSS

CHATTOGRAM, April 24, 2025 (BSS) – Chattogran Port Authority (CPA) chairman Rear Admiral SM Moniruzzaman said the mega Matarbari deep sea port project would propel country’s economy significantly along with ushering prospect to transform it into a regional transshipment hub.

 “We hope the deep sea port is likely to go into operation by 2009 and CPA as an implementing agency is working tirelessly to transform the giant installation into a regional transshipment hub” CPA said, referring to the agreement signed on April 22 with Japanese companies- Penta-Ocean Construction Company Ltd and TOA Corporation for the construction of two jetties under Package-1 under the project”.

“The proposed Matarbari deep sea port will be a ‘game changer` for the country’s economy,” said S M Moniruzzaman at a press conference, organized on the occasion of the 138th Port Day today at the Shaheed Munshi Fazlur Rahman Munshi Auditorium of Chattogram port this afternoon.
 
The progress by involving two Japanese firms is the landmark history of the country, the port chairman said the 2nd revised DPP for this fast-track project with the assistance of JICA was approved by the ECNEC on October 7, 2024.
 
He said that the flow of Foreign Direct Investment and Joint Venture investment will definitely get a momentum as an impact of just ended Bangladesh Investment Summit and there would be no alternative of enhancing the overall capacity and operational skill of the country’s prime seaport to cope with the increased trade and investment as well as to survive in the competitive trade regime.
 
The port chairman said a delegation from the United Arab Emirates, Japan, and Singapore recently visited the Matarbari-Moheshkhali areas and look at the investment potential in various sectors like maritime infrastructure, security, environmental conservation, and shipyard construction.
 
SM Moniruzzaman said, “Huge young generation is the country’s main prospects and we could easily elevate the geographically and strategically important greater Ctg and Cox’s Bazar areas into status of Singapore if we able to create jobs and opportunity in prospective areas for the young forces”.  
 
“Now we need to ensure security, trust, and a conducive  environment in port and other maritime sectors for the foreign investor as they are ready to invest here” CPA Chairman said.
 
 The doors of possibilities have been opened due to trade agreements with various countries and new investments are coming especially after the successful of the Investment Summit, he added.
 
 In addition, the proposal to build a 'free trade zone' around Matarbari came up for discussion at the 'Bangladesh Investment Summit where discussion was there to build a “ free trade zone” as like UAE’s Jebel Ali Port model with the technical assistance of DP World,” he said.
 
  “Chattogram Port will have to handle at least five millions TEUs of containers after 5 years. An agreement has been reached to build a terminal and bay terminal at Matarbari deep sea port.
 
S M Moniruzzaman said CPA has achieved a significant growth in exports, containers and cargo handling through during first nine months (July-March) of the current fiscal year.
 
He said that out of the country's total export earnings of $37191.32 million, about 85 percent comes through Chattogram Port.
 
“At the same time, container handling at the port has increased by 5.01 percent and general cargo handling has increased by 5.16 percent. In addition, 3058 ships have been handled in the nine months.  Chattogram Port has also made impressive progress in terms of revenue, which is 10.56 percent more than the previous year,” he said.
 
 During the briefing it was also informed that general cargo handling was 97.13 million 161 metric tons, which is 5.16 percent more than the last fiscal year. In addition, a total of 3058 ships were handled in the first nine months,” he added.
 
Pointing out the existing close working coordination among CPA and Ctg Customs , Moniruzzaman said, “Benefits of coordination become visible as auction activities have already gained momentum and tendency to use port jetty facilities as dumping center for imported goods become narrow.”
 
“We are trying to make the port user-friendly. The port will purchase two dredgers suitable for maintaining a 16-meter draft,” he said.
 
CPA Members Mohammad Habibur Rahman, Kawsar Rashid, Captain Amin Abdullah and Port Secretary Oram Faruk along with senior officials were present on the occasion.