Dhaka, Feb 4 � Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has said that the country�s two seaports would be ready to be used by its neighbours, including India, after their infrastructural developments like new container terminals, reports PTI.
Replying to a question in Parliament yesterday, Hasina said her ruling Awami League government had massive plans to develop and modernise the seaports of Chittagong and Mongla in southeastern and southwestern Bangladesh.
�The ports will be prepared for the use of neighbouring countries after construction of new container terminal, purchasing modern equipment and carrying out capital dredging from (Chittagong) Sadarghat to the third Karnaphuli Bridge,� she said.
The premier said if the ports were used by regional states with increased capacity, Bangladesh would be benefited in terms of revenue and income generation.
�Only 40 per cent capacity of Chittagong port and 10 percent of Mongla port is being currently used. Revenue earning will be more than double when the usage is increased particularly when neighbouring countries will be allowed to use the two seaports. This will also generate new employment opportunities,� she said.
Dhaka agreed to offer the port facilities to New Delhi alongside landlocked Nepal and Bhutan during Hasina�s maiden India visit last month while her arch-rival Khaleda Zia of BNP strongly criticised the decision saying this deal �not only affected the country�s sovereignty, but also exposed Bangladesh to economic vulnerability in the longer term�.
