Bangladesh Investment Development Authority (BIDA) Executive Chairman Ashik Chowdhury has dismissed opposition claims that allowing foreign operators at seaports poses national security risks, calling the arguments “vague” and based on “misconceptions.”
In a post on social media on Wednesday, he said various quarters were spreading misleading narratives amid the government’s ongoing clean-up and reform efforts in port management.
Referring to long-standing allegations of irregularities, he wrote: “Port operations have long been run under a culture where even chairs and tables at the port were said to take bribes.”
He said the current wave of public scrutiny over reform efforts was positive for a democratic state.
“Had this happened even a year and a half ago, the internet would have shut down on its own,” he said, adding that the strong public stance against corruption was encouraging.
Ashik Chowdhury termed concerns about “national security” and “sovereignty” the “most ridiculous argument,” saying they had no basis in reality.
Citing Chittagong Port’s security protocols, he said every vessel must submit detailed documents, including bills of lading, while Customs supervises unloading operations. The Navy and Coast Guard also enforce strict security measures. “None of this will change even if foreign operators are involved,” he said.
He added that if foreign nationals were appointed in management roles, their background checks and security clearances would be handled by domestic intelligence agencies. Technology systems, data localization, cybersecurity and access controls would also follow government-approved standards.
Urging people not to create “unfounded fears in the name of patriotism,” he said: “If there is really so much concern about national security, ask someone from the armed forces—what do they think?”
According to the BIDA chief, foreign investment at Chittagong Port would enhance security rather than weaken it. “If friendly countries invest, they will have an interest in protecting the port for their own economic benefit. In the modern world, no shield is stronger than economic interest.”
He added that many countries with even more sensitive geopolitical environments operate ports with foreign operators. In Bangladesh, however, even a minor foreign presence often triggers “an overly sensitive reaction,” which he described as a kind of “self-deception.”
He concluded the post by sharing an infographic on the issue.
