CPA needs to appoint 'global player' for NCT operation
Wednesday, 29 August 2007
FE Report
The Chittagong Port Authority (CPA) needs to appoint 'global players' for operation and management of the New Mooring Container Terminal (NCT) to ensure prompt and efficient services, according to competent sources.
"We want world class operator for handling the NCT so that the country's trade can be facilitated further and competition for better services emerges among the port operators," said one senior port official in Dhaka Monday.
Ministry sources said globally reputed port operators like BP World of the United Arab Emirates, PSA of Singapore, Maersk Line, Stevedoring Services of America (SSA) and others have started lobbying for the contract.
But, local investors can also participate in the competitive bidding according to the pre-qualification (PQ) criterion of the NCT, sources said.
Dispelling the predicaments of local investors on their participation, the port official said, "There is no bar for joint venture participation by local investors cum port operators in the bid. We did not impose any embargo for such joint venture investments, and there is no limit for investment," said.
He said according to the PQ, aspirant foreign port operators having up to 37.5 per cent of local participation will be entitled to a 7.5 per cent added weightage during the evaluation process.
The senior port official, wishing for anonymity, told the FE that the local investors who wants to participate in the bid under joint ventures, must have at least 10 per cent equity.
"Local investors who has the ability to provide 10 per cent equity worth US$ 3.0 million will be eligible to bid. Local investors can have more stake if their ability allows to provide proportionately higher equity according to the share percentage," he added.
But, local investors told the FE that there is no necessity for equity participation.
They said, letters of consent provided by the country's financial institutions' confirming proportionate financing is widely practiced in the country as well as other developing nations.
The Chittagong Port Authority (CPA) needs to appoint 'global players' for operation and management of the New Mooring Container Terminal (NCT) to ensure prompt and efficient services, according to competent sources.
"We want world class operator for handling the NCT so that the country's trade can be facilitated further and competition for better services emerges among the port operators," said one senior port official in Dhaka Monday.
Ministry sources said globally reputed port operators like BP World of the United Arab Emirates, PSA of Singapore, Maersk Line, Stevedoring Services of America (SSA) and others have started lobbying for the contract.
But, local investors can also participate in the competitive bidding according to the pre-qualification (PQ) criterion of the NCT, sources said.
Dispelling the predicaments of local investors on their participation, the port official said, "There is no bar for joint venture participation by local investors cum port operators in the bid. We did not impose any embargo for such joint venture investments, and there is no limit for investment," said.
He said according to the PQ, aspirant foreign port operators having up to 37.5 per cent of local participation will be entitled to a 7.5 per cent added weightage during the evaluation process.
The senior port official, wishing for anonymity, told the FE that the local investors who wants to participate in the bid under joint ventures, must have at least 10 per cent equity.
"Local investors who has the ability to provide 10 per cent equity worth US$ 3.0 million will be eligible to bid. Local investors can have more stake if their ability allows to provide proportionately higher equity according to the share percentage," he added.
But, local investors told the FE that there is no necessity for equity participation.
They said, letters of consent provided by the country's financial institutions' confirming proportionate financing is widely practiced in the country as well as other developing nations.