Bangladesh Investment Development Authority (BIDA) Executive Chairman Ashiq Chowdhury termed the opposition's complaints about foreign operators at the port as 'superficial' and 'misconceived'. In a post on social media on Wednesday (November 25), he said, 'During the ongoing clean-up operation in port management, various parties have put forward misleading arguments, but the reality is completely different.'
Ashiq Chowdhury wrote, “For a long time, the port has been run in this culture of “Bandare chair-table also nakhi gush khay''-heard in childhood. The intense discussion-criticism that is now taking place on reform initiatives is positive for a democratic state.”
“Even a year and a half ago, the internet would have shut down by itself”, he said, pointing out that “the current tough stance of common people against corruption is promising.”
He termed the opposition's 'national security' and 'sovereignty' concerns as 'the most ludicrous arguments'. His claim, 'These fears have no match with reality.'
Citing the security structure of Chittagong port as an example, he said, 'Each ship has to submit necessary information including the bill of lading of the container to the port authority. Customs regularly supervises the time of release. Navy and Coast Guard also strictly follow security protocols. Even if foreign operators come, nothing will change.'
The BIDA chairman also said that if foreign nationals are involved in the management, everything from background screening to security clearance will be ensured by the domestic intelligence agency. Besides, the technology used in the terminal, data localization, cyber security and access control will all be governed by government approved standards.
Urging not to create unwarranted anxiety in the name of patriotism, he said, 'If there is really so much concern about national security, ask someone in the armed forces—what do they think?'
According to Ashiq Chowdhury, foreign investment in Chittagong Port will rather strengthen security. Because, if there is investment from friendly countries, they will be interested in protecting the security of the port for their own sake. In the modern world there is no stronger shield than economic interest.'
He also said that many countries in the world; whose geopolitical situation is more sensitive than Bangladesh—regularly operate ports with foreign operators. But even the slightest foreign presence in Bangladesh elicits an oversensitive response, which he describes as a 'strange self-delusion'.
At the end of the post, he also shared an infographic on the subject.
