Economist Professor Anu Muhammad has termed the government’s decision to lease the New Mooring Container Terminal of Chittagong Port to a foreign company as “risky” and “against national interest”. He questioned, “Why is the interim government so interested in such agreements? Why aren’t these details being made public?”
He made these remarks on Saturday morning at a discussion titled “Why Leasing Chittagong Port to a Foreign Company is Risky,” organised by the Economic Reporters’ Forum in the capital’s Bijoynagar. Anu Muhammad chaired the event.
Among the speakers were writer-researcher engineer Kallol Mostafa, researcher Maha Mirza, and former general secretary of Chittagong Port CBA Sheikh Nurullah Bahar.
Professor Anu Muhammad further questioned, “We could understand the Sheikh Hasina government’s enthusiasm for foreign investment. But why does the Yunus-led government now have the same eagerness?”
He alleged that corruption and activities against national interests are being carried out by secretly signing deals while keeping the public in the dark. In his view, if these agreements were truly beneficial for public welfare, the government should present them openly rather than keeping them concealed.
During the discussion, Anu Muhammad stated, “Handing over strategic infrastructure like the port to foreign companies could pose a threat to the country’s ‘security and sovereignty.'” He also described recent statements made by Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus as “authoritarian”.
Anu Muhammad said, “The government is now saying no questions can be raised about foreign agreements. This mindset itself is a threat to democracy and transparency.” He called for united public resistance against such moves.
