BM Desk: A legal notice has been issued calling for the cancellation of a secret contract executed without public tender with the foreign entity for the management of the newly built container terminal at Chittagong port.

Barrister Md. Anwar, a lawyer at the Bangladesh Supreme Court, has officially urged the Ministry of Shipping, the Chittagong Port Authority, and the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) to terminate the undisclosed agreement made by the previous government with foreign container handling operators for the operation of the newly built container terminal which was completely funded by Chittagong Port itself. The legal notice was served today.

This notice underscores the importance of revoking numerous covert contracts executed without public bidding, which have barred acclaimed and accredited competent local container handling operators from participating in the bidding for newly constructed container depots financed by Chittagong Port. Additionally, it points out that if the government is interested, foreign investors can be invited to engage in the development of new ports and associated facilities.