United News of Bangladesh

Workers and employees of Chattogram Port observed a strike for the second consecutive day on Sunday at the New Mooring Container Terminal (NCT), protesting the government’s decision to lease the terminal to foreign firm DP World, disrupting import-export and worsening vessel congestion. Cargo handling at the port remained suspended as loading and unloading of goods from ships came to a halt, causing growing suffering for traders and raising concerns over mounting financial losses. Ignoring a cautionary notice issued by the Chattogram Port Authority, workers began demonstrations on Saturday and continued the work stoppage. The strike was enforced from the morning at the call of the Jatiyatabadi Sramik Dal, SCOP and several other labour organisations. Movement  of container-laden lorries, trailers and covered vans inside the port area remained suspended. Ctg port operations stumble amid strike against NCT lease plan Business leaders expressed fears that prolonged disruption of port operations could lead to severe vessel congestion and significant damage to the country’s import-export activities. Meanwhile, the port authority transferred four officials to Pangaon in Dhaka for defying port directives and participating in Saturday’s strike. An investigation committee has also been formed in this connection. The Chattogram Port Authority said that following Saturday’s strike, the Chattogram Metropolitan Police (CMP) issued a notification banning all kinds of rallies, protests and public gatherings in the port area for one month starting Sunday. Chattogram Port Director (Administration) Mohammad Omar Faruk said the High Court has already delivered its verdict regarding the NCT. “If anyone creates disorder by defying the verdict, the port authority will take strict action,” he warned. He added that disciplinary measures would be taken against officers and employees found participating in processions or protest programmes during office hours.    

Sultan Ahmed Bin Sulayem, Group Chairman and CEO of DP World, met with Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus on Wednesday and discussed strategic investment opportunities in Bangladesh, particularly in the country’s port and logistics infrastructure. The meeting, held at the State Guest House Jamuna, followed an earlier conversation between the two in Davos, where the DP World chief had expressed interest in investing in the New Mooring Container Terminal in Chattogram. The proposed investment aims to reduce congestion at Chittagong Port, lower carbon emissions, and significantly boost the efficiency of Bangladesh’s key maritime gateway, said the Chief Adviser's press wing. “This is a land of opportunities,” said Chief Adviser Professor Yunus. “Come to Bangladesh, and let’s make this happen,” he said. Sultan Sulayem reaffirmed his company’s commitment, stating, “We are looking forward to this partnership. Your prosperity is our prosperity. From Chattagram to Dubai to Africa—this is our shared dream.” The chief adviser urged DP World to consider broader collaboration in Bangladesh’s growing sectors, including fisheries, agro-processing, and halal meat exports. He also underscored the importance of ensuring proper skills development for Bangladeshi workers. “It is our responsibility to provide proper training to our workforce, and we will make sure it happens,” Professor Yunus assured. India stops transshipment facility for Bangladesh’s export cargo The DP World chief responded positively, stating, the UAE authorities were actively working on visa facilitation, and overall support, especially for skilled workers from Bangladesh. He also revealed DP World’s plan to introduce a “Bangladesh Mart” in their home country, following the success of their Chinese and Indian trade marts. “We want to showcase Bangladeshi products—wood, marble, agricultural goods—and bring them to the world,” he added. Special Envoy for International Affairs Lutfey Siddiqi, who also attended the meeting, noted, “We are working on resolving the visa issues for general Bangladeshi citizens, and we hope a solution will come soon.” The meeting was told that the two UAE companies had recently recruited nearly 500 workers from Bangladesh. DP World, a leading global logistics company based in Dubai, is known for its expertise in port development, maritime services, logistics, and technology-driven trade facilitation. SDGs Affairs Principal Coordinator Lamiya Morshed was also present at the meeting.

The United Arab Emirates-based DP World and Denmark-based A.P. Moller–Maersk, on Thursday expressed interests in making big investments in Bangladesh's shipping industry to help the country build new ports along the coast of the Bay of Bengal and become a major global export hub. A.P. Moller - Maersk is a Danish shipping and logistics company while DP World is a leading provider of smart logistics solutions, enabling the flow of trade across the globe. The two leading companies came up with the proposals when Sultan Ahmed Bin Sulayem, Group Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of DP World, and Robert Maersk Uggla, Chair of A.P. Moller–Maersk, met Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus in the Swiss city during the World Economic Forum annual meeting. Dr Yunus invited the DP World and A.P. Moller–Maersk officials to visit Dhaka with concrete investment proposals. Dhaka, Beijing "must cooperate wholeheartedly" to resolve Rohingya crisis: Foreign Adviser tells Shanghai Seminar "We have to build a series of ports along the coast of the Bay of Bengal to use our full potential as a regional business hub," said the Chief Adviser, welcoming FDI for capacity building of Bangladesh ports. DP World CEO said they want to invest in New Mooring Container Terminal, aiming to reduce congestion in Chattogram Port, reduce emissions and boost the efficiency of the port. The CEO of the UAE-based logistics company expressed optimism that investment in the New Mooring Container Terminal would help Bangladesh attract more Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) and reduce pollution. It happened in every country where DP World invested, Sulayem told the Chief Adviser, adding that they also wanted to invest in Bangladesh in 2022 but were snubbed by the then government, Chief Adviser's Deputy Press Secretary told UNB. Sulayem said that they also want to introduce a digital online customs procedure in Chittagong Port, which would help reduce corruption drastically.

Ambassador of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) to Bangladesh Abdulla Ali Abdulla AlHmoudi on Tuesday said the DP World, one of the world's largest port operators, and Abu Dhabi Ports are very interested to invest in Chittagong port to help boost the country's export competitiveness to the world. He said Masdar, another top firm in the UAE, is also interested to invest in renewable energy, including floating solar projects, the kind of which it has built in Indonesia. The UAE is very keen to invest in Bangladesh's logistics, ports, aviation and renewable energy sector and expressed readiness to support the interim government of the country, said Ambassador of the Gulf nation when he called on Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus at the State Guest House Jamuna in Dhaka. Bangladesh urges UAE to address visa issues ensuring smoother mobility for workforce Prof Yunus said his government has already rolled out business-friendly policies and would be happy to see more investments from the UAE and visit of more Emirati businesspeople to Bangladesh, according to the Chief Adviser's press wing. During the meeting, Prof Yunus thanked UAE President Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahiyan for the release of 57 Bangladeshi people after they were convicted and sentenced by a UAE court recently. "It was a wonderful gesture. The whole nation was very happy," said the Chief Adviser. He also thanked the UAE government for hosting some 1 million Bangladeshi migrants. Ambassador AlHmoudi expressed his government support for Bangladesh at a "critical time of the country" and said the UAE would stand by the interim government and its pro-business policies and reform agenda.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Monday urged Dubai-based company DP World to come up with investment in port, shipbuilding and ICT sectors of Bangladesh alongside the energy one.