Dutch investment in deep seaports likely

Syful Islam | Published: August 17, 2015 00:00:00 | Updated: August 16, 2015 21:57:31

The Netherlands has expressed its interest to invest in the development of deep seaports in Bangladesh, officials said.
"Building upon good friendship, common interest and long-term cooperation between our countries, the Netherlands is very willing to work with the government of Bangladesh on deep seaport development on a government to government basis with regard to the interest of business and research communities in our countries," Dutch minister for infrastructure and environment Melanie Schultz van Haegen wrote in a recent letter to shipping minister Shajahan Khan.
She expressed special interest in the development of Paira and Chittagong port and the surrounding plots for harbour development on Ramnabad channel. "â€¦we would be most happy to take a leading role in exploring options for strengthening cooperation."
The Dutch minister, who visited Bangladesh in mid-June, had meetings with Mr Khan and also with officials of the Chittagong Port Authority.
In the letter, she said the Dutch expertise on soft soils, navigation, and finance, design and construction opportunities could help realise Bangladesh's 'ambitious planning' concerning to the port sector development.
She said multi-modal transports and hinterland connections are crucial to port development where the Netherlands has high expertise.
"With the expected export increase of Bangladesh economy and the anticipated increase in prosperity, we foresee good reasons to establish a government to government collaboration on deep seaport development," wrote the minister.
Ms Haegen said, "We have every confidence that we can jointly contribute to harbour development in Bangladesh in general and more specifically the realisation of a deep seaport in Bangladesh."
A senior official at the ministry of shipping told the FE on Sunday that the governments of the Netherlands and Denmark have already formed a consortium to help fund and construct Paira deep seaport in Patuakhali district.
He said apart from the consortium both the countries are also expressing interest to help develop the port separately.
The official said nine other Chinese companies also submitted proposals to the ministry expressing their interest to be involved in Paira port construction. A seven-member committee of Paira Port Authority (PPA) has shortlisted names of four companies and sent the list to the ministry to select one from them and to sign a memorandum of understanding (MoU).
Â However, sources said the ministry is yet to take any decision relating to selection of a company and signing of the MoU for construction of the port.
Officials said the government is considering construction of another deep seaport either in Sonadia or Matarbari islands to handle the increased load of export-import cargoes as Bangladesh is considered to be a connectivity hub for regional nations.
Many countries, including the Netherlands, have expressed interest to help construct the port, but the government is yet to take decision as to whom to award the job.
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