Maheshkhali–Matarbari project to add $150 billion to GDP

Once implemented, the Maheshkhali–Matarbari Integrated Development Project is expected to directly and indirectly create about 2.5 million jobs and add around $150 billion to the GDP, said a delegation of the newly formed Maheshkhali Integrated Development Authority (MIDA) during their meeting with Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus on Wednesday.

The delegation was led by MIDA Chairman Chowdhury Ashiq Mahmud bin Harun.

The meeting was held at the state guest house, Jamuna. Also present were MIDA members Commodore Tanzim Faruq and Md. Sarowar Alam, along with the Chief Adviser’s Principal Coordinator on SDGs, Lamia Morshed and Secretary of the Chief Adviser’s Office, Md. Saifullah Panna.

During the meeting, the MIDA Chairman gave a presentation on the Maheshkhali–Matarbari project and outlined MIDA’s four-month work plan.

Ashiq Chowdhury stated that the project would be implemented in three phases—Phase I from 2025 to 2030, Phase II from 2030 to 2045, and Phase III from 2045 to 2055.

The Chief Adviser said, “It’s not just about a deep-sea port; we must work with a vision of building a Blue Economy. That area will not only be a facilitating zone, but a new city will be born there. From there, we will build international connectivity. The sea will become our highway to the world.”

He placed special emphasis on research concerning the deep sea and stressed the need for establishing an international-standard training facility in the Maheshkhali region. In this regard, Professor Yunus suggested seeking advice and cooperation from global experts if necessary.

He said, “We have never entered the ocean world. We never even thought about it. There is no research, no findings. We need to identify relevant global studies that align with our needs and conduct our own research. For this, institutions are needed. We must develop academia and host international conferences on the ocean economy.”

In addition, the chief adviser emphasised the importance of environmental conservation. The meeting also discussed the idea of establishing an eco-tourism park.

The chief adviser said, “We must assess the current state of the forests in that area and plan for what we want those forests to look like in the future.”

mirmostafiz@yahoo.com