A legal notice has been issued demanding the cancellation of secret agreements concerning the Chittagong port terminal

A legal notice has been issued calling for the cancellation of a secret contract awarded to a foreign company to operate the newly constructed container terminal at Chittagong Port. The agreement, which was signed without a public tender, has faced criticism for excluding local operators.

Barrister Md Anwar, a Supreme Court lawyer, has urged the Ministry of Shipping, the Chittagong Port Authority, and the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) authority to revoke the deal. Despite the terminal being fully funded by Chittagong Port, the previous government transferred operational control to foreign container handlers without a transparent bidding process.

The legal notice, served on Monday, emphasizes the need to annul similar undisclosed agreements that prevent qualified local operators from competing. According to the law firm representing Barrister Anwar, such practices have hindered local industry participation in vital infrastructure projects.

The notice further recommends inviting foreign investors to collaborate on developing new ports and facilities through fair and transparent processes in future agreements.