The government will proceed with the Chattogram Port container terminal agreement only if the national interest is fully protected, the chief of Bangladesh Investment Development Authority (BIDA) confirmed on Tuesday.

BIDA Executive Chairman Ashik Chowdhury made the statement after meeting Prime Minister Tarique Rahman at the Secretariat on February 24, addressing ongoing discussions about the New Mooring Container Terminal project at Chattogram Port.

Responding to questions about the terminal deal, Chowdhury said the prime minister has emphasized that decisions will be taken in whatever direction best serves the national interest.

He clarified that the government position is not about being for or against the agreement but about ensuring national interests are safeguarded before any commitment is made.

When journalists asked whether the current government shares the interim government’s stance on the deal, Chowdhury explained that the previous administration had also maintained the same conditional approach.

He said the interim government’s position was to sign the agreement only if it protected national interests, and he believes the current government will likely adopt a similar stance.

The BIDA chief cautioned against drawing quick conclusions, noting that Tuesday’s session was only the first meeting on the matter. When asked about specific directives from the prime minister, he clarified that the meeting was primarily a briefing session where officials presented information to Rahman rather than receiving detailed instructions. The prime minister listened to the presentation and provided some preliminary guidance, he added.

The New Mooring Container Terminal project has drawn significant attention as Bangladesh seeks to modernize its port infrastructure while balancing development needs with sovereignty concerns.