2024-05-09 08:06:59
Deputy Director General of the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) Headquarters with the Minister of State for Shipping Khalid Mahmud Chowdhury. A delegation led by Jan Sawtomi met.
The meeting was held on Wednesday (May 8) in the minister’s room at the Secretariat.
During the meeting, they discussed matters of mutual interest, especially the Matarbari Integrated Infrastructure Development Initiative.
In order to increase the cargo handling capacity of Bangladesh in front of the international trade demand, ‘Matarbari deep sea port’ is being constructed at Maheshkhali in Cox’s Bazar district with the support of JICA at a cost of Tk 17 thousand 777 crore. As a result, ships with a depth of 16 meters and a capacity of 8,000 TEUs (20 feet in length) will be able to enter the port. A greater depth of capacity in the port means a drop in the cost of many commodities by $5/6 per ton. Comparing with Chittagong Port, Matarbari Terminal will save $131 per 20 feet long container by sea. And 40 feet long container will save $197. Direct exports will save us an average of $6 billion per year.