Bangladesh’s former prime minister Khaleda Zia’s party on Tuesday slammed the interim government for signing long-term deals with foreign companies.
Bangladesh’s interim government is coming under sharp criticism following its signing of long-term contracts with two foreign firms to operate major port facilities. The opposition says the administration has no democratic mandate to make commitments that might determine the course of the nation’s economy for decades.
There are also growing concerns in the country following the government’s deal to hand over operational control of the new Laldia container terminal in Chattogram to APM Terminals for 30 years and an agreement with the Switzerland-based MEDLOG to manage the Pangaon Inland Container Terminal for 22 years.
BNP’s Objection to Strategic Commitments
BNP acting chairman Tarique Rahman termed these deals as decisions that bind future generations without people’s consent. He mentioned that Chattogram Port is the key to Bangladesh’s economic lifeline and sweeping changes to it should not be made by an administration with temporary legitimacy.
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He made this remark at a time when the country is in political turmoil and the government’s legitimacy has been under increasing question because of recent court judgments against top political leaders.
Government’s Push for Global Operators
Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus justified the agreements, saying that the inclusion of world-class port operators would add strength to Bangladesh’s logistics sector. The National Board of Revenue afterwards confirmed that the deals involve a decade of full tax exemption and additional concessions for foreign specialists working under the projects.
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Incentives such as these, say promoters of the move, will attract worldwide expertise and expedite modernization of the ports.
Transparency, National Interest & Public Debate Intensifies
These deals have generated sharp reactions among academics, lawyers, economists, and civil society members. According to critics, the outsourcing of port operations is against national interest, shrinks domestic job opportunities and diminishes future revenues.
Full disclosure of the contract terms is also insisted upon with warnings that foreign control of key infrastructure in the long term will undermine Bangladesh’s bargaining position.
Legal Challenges & Broader Question of Authority
The controversy follows an earlier writ petition filed against a similar plan involving the New Mooring Container Terminal. A verdict is expected soon and may set a precedent for how far a caretaker administration can go in signing binding economic agreements.
But as debates intensify, the core issue stays open should an interim government make decisions on the country’s economic sovereignty that will continue to have an impact long after it is gone?
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Disclaimer: This article is an analysis based on available information and does not represent legal, political or commercial advice.
