Prime Minister Tarique Rahman today instructed officials to ensure that all decisions regarding the New Mooring Container Terminal (NCT) at Chattogram Port serve the national interest.

He gave the directive while presiding over a meeting today at the Cabinet Division on the terminal’s operations.

The meeting was attended by Finance Minister Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury, Foreign Minister Khalilur Rahman, Law Minister Md Asaduzzaman, and Executive Chairman of the Bangladesh Investment Development Authority (BIDA) Chowdhury Ashik Mahmud Bin Harun, among others.

Speaking to reporters, Ashik said the prime minister emphasised that any agreement on the NCT must safeguard national interests.

Asked about the recently-dissolved interim government’s stance on a possible treaty with DP World, he explained, “The position remains that if any agreement can be concluded safeguarding the national interest, only then will it be signed. Such a stance had been expressed during the interim period.”

He added that as this was the first day’s meeting, it would be premature to draw conclusions.

The prime minister was briefed on the overall operations of the NCT. He, later, provided initial guidance.