European company keen to develop infrastructure in Bangladesh

APM Terminals, a global port and terminal operator, has shown keen interest in developing and upgrading the infrastructure in Bangladesh and building a state-of-the-art and sustainable Patenga Container Terminal.

The company particularly eyes the Patenga Container Terminal as it has the potential to alleviate many of the constraints that adversely impact the Chattogram Seaport, hindering the future economic growth of Bangladesh, according to the Danish Embassy in Dhaka, reports UNB.
The company says it will trigger further investments along the supply chain and open new markets to Bangladeshi importers and exporters, while serving as catalyst for future relations between the European Union (EU) and Bangladesh.

APM Terminals representatives met key Bangladeshi stakeholders recently to explore deepening the cooperation on maritime infrastructure in the country.

Together with the Danish Ambassador to Bangladesh Winnie Estrup Petersen, company representatives met State Minister for Shipping Khalid Mahmud Chowdhury, Secretary of Shipping Mohammed Mezbah Uddin Chowdhury, Chairman of Chittagong Port Authority Rear Admiral M Shahjahan, CEO of Public Private Partnerships Authority Sultana Afroz and Principal Secretary Dr Ahmad Kaikaus of the Prime Minister’s Office.

Danish Ambassador to Bangladesh Petersen said trade between Denmark and Bangladesh is centered around the transfer of climate-friendly know-how and cutting-edge technologies. "It's an effective way to accelerate Bangladesh’s green economic transition and build sustainable economic competitiveness, especially for access to the European markets, by leveraging public-private-partnership."  

Commenting on the future infrastructure project in Patenga, Vice President, Global Head of Corporate Development at APM Terminals, Martijn van Dongen said the seaport in Chattogram is currently utilised at over 100% of its capacity.

"While truly commendable, it's not a sustainable solution matching the country's growth ambitions. We believe that by developing a new terminal in Patenga together with our Bangladeshi partners, we can provide a viable and much needed infrastructure solution with a positive economic impact."

APM Terminals is known for providing superior port logistics and container terminal operations globally to shipping lines.

APM Terminals is committed to making the new terminal operational in the shortest time possible, said the Danish Embassy in Dhaka.

European investment in port infrastructure in Bangladesh is expected to invite greater foreign direct investment.

The potential engagement presents the opportunity to harness the operational synergies arising out of the integration of the Patenga Container Terminal with global export-import supply chain and help realize the true potential of the terminal as a modern, highly efficient, state-of-the-art terminal that aids the facilitation of local/regional trade and drives sustainable economic growth and stability, said the Danish Embassy.

It is also an "opportunity" for Denmark and Bangladesh to "strengthen relations" by realizing a novel public private partnership project based on their shared maritime roots.