Finance and Planning Minister Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury has said the Laldia Container Terminal at Chattogram Port will be a milestone in elevating the country’s economy to the trillion-dollar mark. He said it will play an important role not just for Chattogram or Bangladesh, but as an economic hub for the entire region.
He made the remarks Sunday as chief guest at the groundbreaking ceremony for Chattogram Port’s “Laldia Container Terminal.” The project is being built by Denmark-based global terminal operator APM Terminals with a $550 million investment.
The finance minister said: “There’s often talk about making Chattogram the commercial capital. But really, becoming a commercial capital isn’t something you do — it’s something you become. Many more projects like this will come to Chattogram, and foreign investment will follow. As this scope of activity keeps growing, Chattogram will genuinely take shape as the commercial capital.”
Finance Minister Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury said: “Our elected government is a business- and investment-friendly government, with an ambitious economic program. We are trying to gradually strengthen our economic structure through proper planning.”
On Denmark’s investment, he said: “The Danish company APM operates many terminals at the world’s top ports. They will invest $550 million in building this terminal in Chattogram, and as far as I know, that will keep increasing in phases. APM Møller’s arrival in Bangladesh is a milestone. They will also build a modern port at Laldia. The government is providing full cooperation in this regard.”
The finance minister said: “Once the Laldia Container Terminal is built, its benefits won’t be limited to just Chattogram or Bangladesh — the entire region will be able to enjoy its benefits. Regional ports will also be able to handle containers at Laldia as needed. That would give Bangladesh the opportunity to benefit even more economically.”
He said many people are skeptical about the trillion-dollar economy Bangladesh envisions. But he said the momentum foreign investment has now begun to build, combined with the private sector coming forward in the same way, means the country will certainly be able to reach that goal.
The finance minister said: “Under Prime Minister Tareque Rahman’s leadership, we want to take this country’s economy to a unique height, and change the standard of living for the people of this country. For that, alongside the government, private entrepreneurs and partners also need to come forward.”
Speaking as special guest, Road Transport and Bridges, Railways and Shipping Minister Sheikh Robiul Alam said: “Chattogram Port is the lifeblood of the country’s economy. There is a commercial hub here, and it’s expanding further. Discussions are under way with many more organizations interested in investing in the port. Today marks the start of a new chapter. Our import-export trade is set to reach international standards. The Laldia APM terminal is a major investment under the PPP model. It will have many facilities, which is good news for the nation.”
In his welcome address, APM Terminals Chief Executive Officer Ramesh David said: “The terminal will use advanced technology. It will have seven ship-to-shore gantry cranes, 32 electric rubber-tired gantry cranes, and 41 electric terminal tractors. This will further increase Chattogram Port’s container-handling capacity.”
Chattogram Port Authority Chairman, Rear Admiral S M Moniruzzaman, said: “I am very pleased. Chattogram Port is the country’s major gateway. This port handles 92 percent of the country’s imports and exports, and more than 98 percent of container handling. I’ve had the good fortune of seeing some green-technology terminals in Denmark. Our container handling will double within 10 years. We welcome our foreign investment partner to Bangladesh.”
Others who spoke at the event included Ministry of Shipping secretary Zakaria, APM Terminals BV Global Head of Business Implementation Jack Craig, and Danish Ambassador Christian Brix Møller.
At the end of the event, Finance Minister Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury, Shipping Minister Sheikh Robiul Alam and other guests came to the stage for the formal groundbreaking and inauguration of the Laldia Container Terminal.
The event was attended by Chattogram-8 constituency MP Ershad Ullah, Jamaat-e-Islami MP Shahjahan Chowdhury, Chittagong Chamber of Commerce and Industries president Amirul Haque, Chattogram C&F Association president S M Saiful Alam, and senior officials from all related organizations.