In the current geopolitical situation, the Bay of Bengal and Chittagong Port are strategically very important. In such a situation, the initiative to lease the New Mooring Container Terminal (NCT) and Chittagong Container Terminal (CCT) of Chittagong Port to foreign companies can create long-term risks for the country’s economy, national security and sovereignty. As a result, such agreements need to be deeply evaluated from the perspective of national interest.
Speakers made this statement at a discussion meeting at the National Press Club in the capital on Friday (September 4, 2026) morning. The meeting titled ‘NCT-CCT Lease of Chittagong Port: The Future of Bangladesh’s Economy, National Security and Sovereignty’ was organized by the Port Protection and Anti-Corridor Movement and the Port Protection Committee, Chittagong.
At the discussion meeting, former General Secretary of the Communist Party of Bangladesh (CPB), Ruhin Hossain, said, "No one has been able to prove so far that Bangladesh will benefit economically or national security will be strengthened if Chittagong Port is handed over to foreigners. Addressing the government, he said, "If any foreign power undermines national interests and makes an attempt, the people will not accept it. Immediately withdraw from this agreement initiative."
Bangladesh Socialist Party (BSD) General Secretary Bazlur Rashid Firoz said that due to the geographical limitations of the Newmooring Container Terminal, there is not much scope for major modernization. It is possible to operate for many years with the existing equipment. The idea that the port's capacity will automatically increase when foreign operators come is also questionable.
Calling Chittagong Port a 'nerve block' for Bangladesh, former Chairman of the Economics Department of Dhaka University, MM Akash said that a large part of the country's GDP (gross domestic product) is linked to international trade. In the current geopolitical reality, the Bay of Bengal and Chittagong Port are strategically very important. As a result, such agreements need to be deeply evaluated in the light of national interests.
MA Sayeed, convener of the Port Protection and Anti-Corridor Movement, presided over the meeting. He said that national interests, sovereignty and economic security should be given utmost importance in any decision regarding the Chittagong Port. Political parties, workers, professionals and the general public should unite on the issue of protecting the port. Building a universal national unity to protect the country's strategic assets is the demand of the hour.
Delwar Majumdar, convener of the Port Protection Committee, Chittagong, read out a written statement at the discussion meeting. The meeting, moderated by Mahir Shahriar Reza, the central president of a section of the Chhatra Union, was attended by senior journalist Abu Sayeed Khan, members of the standing committee of Bangladesh JSD Anwarul Islam and Iftekhar Kamal Khan, president of the Chittagong district branch of the Trade Union Tapan Dutta, general secretary of Chittagong CBA Nurullah Bahar, leader of the Doc Nationalist Workers' Party Taslim Hossain, former director of BSCIC Abu Taher Khan Bhuiyan, and member of the Chittagong district branch of CPB Machiuddaula, among others.
Source: Online/GFMM
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