WB support sought for building deep-sea port

The government sought support of the World Bank again for setting up a deep-sea port on Kutubdia Island in the Bay of Bengal to cope with Bangladesh's rising international trade, officials said.
Planning Minister AHM Mustafa Kamal placed this plea Tuesday and requested the global lender to help government enhance capacity of the country's largest seaport - Chittagong Port.
Mr Kamal at a meeting with the World Bank country director in Bangladesh, Johannes Zutt, at his ministry office discussed the possible support of the Bank.
"The Bank is willing to help boost capacity of the Chittagong Port. On the setting up of the proposed deep-sea port at Kutubdia, the Bank will study feasibility first and then it will submit a specific proposal to the government," a Planning Ministry press statement quoted the WB country director as saying.
At the meeting, the planning minister was learnt to have said: "The government is willing to set up a deep-sea port at Kutubdia. The World Bank can come forward with its necessary support in this regard."
He added: "Since the building of a deep-sea port takes time, the Bank could extend its technical and financial support at this moment for enhancing capacity of the Chittagong Port. This is very imperative for the growing Bangladesh."
After the meeting, the minister told journalists that he sought support of the World Bank for strengthening capacity of the Chittagong Port as Bangladesh's foreign trade is increasing every year.
Since Bangladesh's Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth will cross 7.0 percent mark within a year from the current rate of 6.0 percent, the port handling capacity needs to be upgraded and the WB could be a part of it, he said.
Mr Kamal said the WB acknowledged his proposal and assured him of extending support for boosting port facilities.
The WB at the meeting expressed its willingness to support Bangladesh's infrastructure development and social safety-net programmes, too.
Mr Zutt assured the planning minister that the Bank was providing (aid commitment) Bangladesh nearly US$2.8 billion worth of financial support a year and it would be continued in the days to come.
Senior economist of the WB Iffath Sharif, accompanying his country director, said the Bank would provide financial support to the government for curbing malnutrition of mothers and newborn babies in the rural areas.
Planning secretary, members of the Planning Commission were also present at the meeting.