The Chattogram Port Authority (CPA) has formed a dedicated Public-Private Partnership (PPP) Cell to coordinate and accelerate the implementation of four major PPP projects currently underway at the port.
According to an official order issued on October 21, the 10-member cell was constituted to ensure better coordination and timely execution of PPP initiatives. The order was signed by Md Mominur Rashid, director (administration) of the CPA.
Commodore Kawsar Rashid, member (engineering) of the CPA, will lead the cell as convener, while Rafiul Alam, executive engineer (CCP), has been appointed as member secretary.
Other members include Director (transport) Enamul Karim, Chief Planning Officer Md Mahbub Morshed Chowdhury, Chief Hydrographer Commander Md Obaidur Rahman, Law Officer (joint district and sessions judge) Shahnewaz Monir, Assistant Harbour Master Captain Md Mustahidul Islam, Deputy Chief Engineer (mechanical) Mirza Rakibul Islam, Assistant Manager (estate) Muhammad Shihab Uddin, and Accounts Officer Zahidul Imam.
CPA spokesperson and Chief Personnel Officer Md Nasir Uddin told TIMES that the formation of this cell will significantly streamline coordination among stakeholders and expedite project implementation.
The new cell will help synchronise all PPP initiatives, making project implementation smoother and faster, he said.
According to the Bangladesh PPP Authority, four major projects of Chattogram Port are currently under the PPP framework: establishment and operation of Laldia container terminal; operation and maintenance of the New Mooring Container Terminal (NCT), including its overflow container yard (OCY); construction of the Bay Terminal; and equipping, operating and maintain Patenga Container Terminal (PCT).
The Singapore government and Dubai-based DP World are collaborating under a government-to-government (G2G) framework for the Bay Terminal Project-1 and Project-2. Meanwhile, the International Finance Corporation (IFC) is conducting a feasibility study for the Laldia Container Terminal in cooperation with the Government of Denmark.
The NCT project is also being considered under a G2G arrangement with DP World, while the CPA has already signed a 22-year concession agreement with Saudi Arabia’s Red Sea Gateway Terminal (RSGT) to operate the Patenga Container Terminal, marking the first-ever operation of a foreign company at Chattogram Port.
The newly formed cell has been assigned 10 Terms of Reference (ToR), including identifying and prioritising feasible PPP projects under the CPA, processing PPP proposals and securing approval from the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs, and appointing transaction advisors and supervising feasibility studies.
The other terms of reference are coordinating with the Ministry of Shipping, PPP Authority, and other relevant ministries and agencies, preparing PPP agreements and overseeing tender processes, liaising with investors and development partners, monitoring and reporting on ongoing PPP and related projects, coordinating PPP projects with other port development works, managing PPP-related contracts, and executing any additional instructions as directed by the CPA Chairman.
