CHATTOGRAM Port, considered the lifeline of the national economy, requires immediate attention to address perennial mismanagement, inefficiency and corruption in its operation. The Comptroller and Auditor General earlier reported the state coffers were robbed of Tk 258 crore on 26 counts of irregularities by the Chattogram Port Authority in 2017–20 and said that mismanagement had been institutionalised in the operation of the port. In this context, the chief adviser’s plan, as revealed during a visit to the port on May 14, to transform it into a world-class port, is a much needed step. Addressing port officials, the shipping adviser elaborated on the plan for engaging a foreign port management company to modernise the port operation. However, any port management involves consideration of state security interests. It is disconcerting that the government is planning on seeking foreign expertise and engaging foreign companies with particular geopolitical interests in Bangladesh without disclosing much about the plans and without consulting with security advisers.
It appears from the government’s presentation about its plan that it approached the modernisation of the port as a strictly economic issue, as a matter of creating trade connectivity between countries and developing the port as a regional trade hub, overlooking the long-term economic impact, including foreign debt burdens. The involvement of a foreign actor in the project requires a thorough assessment of geopolitical, environmental and other concerns as revealed in Sri Lanka’s experience of port construction and management in collaboration with Chinese companies. The Hambantota port in Sri Lanka, developed on Chinese loans, became a major political, economic concern because of its 99-year lease to China after Sri Lanka had struggled to repay the debt. This led to claims of ‘debt-trap diplomacy’ by China. The government announcement to involve foreign factor is, therefore, a cause of concern because it is so done without reviewing regional experiences or consulting with the national experts. The government should also remember that it is an interim government trusted with the responsibility of governing the country following the July uprising. The legitimacy of the government is facilitated by the army and relies on the support of the political parties and student leadership that led the uprising. Any decision to involve big powers in managing the port without consulting with the groups that facilitated and supported its formation is, therefore, unacceptable as it will have long-term ramifications.
The government should not, therefore, consider involving foreign companies in managing or improving the operation of the Chattogram Port under any circumstances without consulting all stakeholders and that include national security experts, economists and environmentalists, as well as political and student leadership.
