Dhaka, February 8 Bangladesh on Sunday withdrew its plan to lease a major container terminal at the strategic sea port town of Chattogram to a foreign operator, amid intensified protests ahead of the February 12 elections.
The announcement by a key official in Yunus' administration came as dockers called for a fresh indefinite shutdown after two days of pause following six days of work stoppage protests against the interim government's plan to lease the port to a foreign private entity.
"In practical terms, the discussion (on leasing) may extend beyond this government's tenure and continue after the upcoming election, under the next government," Bangladesh Investment Development Authority (BIDA) chairman Ashik Bin Harun told a media briefing in the capital.
Officials said discussions with Dubai-based DP World to lease the New Mooring Container Terminal (NCT) had reached their final stage. However, the BIDA chief said DP World recently sent a letter to Bangladesh praising the progress of the ongoing negotiations, but requested more time to review the draft concession agreement.
Earlier, Shipping Adviser retired Brig Gen Sakhawat Hussain said the interim government had decided to take a "hard line" in the matter.
"The port strike cannot be allowed to continue," Hussain told reporters at his office in Dhaka, adding that several people were detained and further detentions might follow as "a few people are trying to hold the entire port hostage."
Harun said the negotiations would not stop even if the agreement was not signed during the interim government's term, adding, "most likely, the next government will take it forward after the election."
Workers at Chattogram seaport last week called an indefinite strike against the government move to lease the key container terminal to the foreign operator.
"This is a suicidal decision," Chattogram Bandar Rokkha Sangram Parishad coordinator Humayun Kabir said last week.
The strike badly disrupted vessel movements, local reports said.
Bangladesh’s High Court earlier ruled the contract between the Chittagong Port Authority (CPA) and DP World was legal, removing legal barriers to the 25-year lease agreement for the NCT, which was launched in 2007.
According to officials, 95 per cent of Bangladesh's international trade is handled through four terminals, with the NCT accounting for 40 per cent.