Davos: DP World and A.P. Moller-Maersk, the two major port handlers in the world, have expressed their keen interest in making significant investments in Bangladesh’s shipping industries to help the country build new ports along the coast of the Bay of Bengal and become a major global export hub. They came up with the proposals during a meeting with Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus in Davos, Switzerland, at the World Economic Forum Summit, as stated by Chief Adviser’s Deputy Press Secretary Abul Kalam Azad Majumder.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, Sultan Ahmed Bin Sulayem, Group Chairman and CEO of DP World, emphasized their intention to invest in the New Mooring Container Terminal to reduce congestion in Chittagong Port and lower emissions, thus enhancing the port’s efficiency. He highlighted that such investments have historically attracted more Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) and reduced pollution in other countries where DP World has been involved. Bin Sulayem also expressed interest in introducing a digital online customs procedure at Chittagong Port, aiming to significantly reduce corruption, and investing in Inland Container Depots in Bangladesh.
Chief Adviser Yunus acknowledged the potential of these investments and reiterated Bangladesh’s ambition to increase the efficiency of Chittagong Port and develop additional ports along the Bay of Bengal. He emphasized the strategic importance of making Chittagong Port the largest in the region to handle exports for neighboring regions, such as Northeast India, Nepal, and Bhutan.
Robert Maersk Uggla, Chair of A.P. Moller-Maersk, conveyed their interest in transforming the Laldia container terminal near Chittagong Port into a green port with technical support from their Danish company. Uggla cited successful projects in Morocco and Oman, where the Salalah Port became one of the world’s best with their investments.
The Chief Adviser extended an invitation to DP World and A.P. Moller-Maersk officials to visit Dhaka with detailed investment proposals, underscoring the importance of developing a series of ports along the Bay of Bengal to fully realize Bangladesh’s potential as a regional business hub.