Complaints lodged over 'irregularities' in foreign concession deals at Ctg port

Three complaints have been filed with the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC), seeking an investigation into alleged irregularities and corruption in leasing key terminals of the Chattogram Port to foreign companies under concession agreements, reports UNB.

Md Al Amin Hossain, spokesperson of civil society organisation Deshpremik Nagorik Samaj and its co-spokesperson Mohammad Ibrahim Khalil Chowdhury submitted the complaints on Sunday.

According to the complaints, several profitable terminals of the port were leased or planned to be leased to foreign companies through opaque processes involving non-disclosure agreements, raising concerns over transparency, abuse of power and possible commission-based dealings.

They alleged that Chattogram Port Chairman SM Moniruzzaman, Bangladesh Investment Development Authority (BIDA) Chairman Ashik Chowdhury, former chief adviser's special envoy for international affairs Lutfe Siddiqi and former shipping adviser Sakhawat Hossain made hurried attempts to lease the New Mooring Container Terminal to UAE-based DP World under a concession deal.

They also claimed that lobbying efforts to revive the move have recently resumed.

The complaint said that on November 17, 2025, a 48-year concession agreement was signed with Denmark-based APM Terminals for Laldia Terminal.

On the same day, a 22-year concession deal was signed with Switzerland-based Medlog SA for Pangaon Terminal in Keraniganj.