Business Desk:
RSGT Bangladesh has officially started full-fledged operations at Patenga Container Terminal (PCT), ushering in a new era in Bangladesh’s maritime and logistics sector. The company launched the operation after two years of infrastructure development and investment, which is being considered an important milestone for the country’s port management and international trade.
Finance Minister Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury was present as the chief guest at the inauguration ceremony held in Dhaka on Tuesday (July 14, 2026). The ceremony was attended by senior officials of the Bangladesh and Saudi Arabian governments, representatives of the Chittagong Port Authority (CPA), business leaders, shipping line executives and various stakeholders from the trade and logistics sectors.
In his speech as the chief guest, the Finance Minister said that efforts are underway to build Bangladesh as a strong economic and logistics ecosystem and RSGT is an important milestone in that journey.
He said, “I am a person from Chittagong. Therefore, I have a special commitment to develop Chittagong as a logistics hub not only for Bangladesh but also for the entire region. RSGT’s investment in realizing this goal is timely and very important.”
The Finance Minister said that the relations between Bangladesh and Saudi Arabia are many years old. The foundation of close relations between the two countries was laid during the time of martyred President Ziaur Rahman. He recalled the initiative of sending neem tree saplings to Saudi Arabia to provide shade during the Hajj season, which is still there today.
He also said that the relations between the two countries further expanded during the time of former Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia. Currently, more than 4 million Bangladeshis are working in Saudi Arabia, which has further strengthened the economic and humanitarian relations between the two countries.
Highlighting the importance of port management, the Finance Minister said that reducing the turnaround time of ships is one of the main conditions for improving the business environment in Bangladesh. Every hour and every day of delay increases the cost of doing business and has a negative impact on international competition.
He said, “Fast unloading and delivery of goods is very important to ensure Ease of Doing Business. An efficient port reduces the cost of doing business, improves the supply system and increases Bangladesh’s competitiveness in the international market.”
He said that the new government has set a goal to develop Bangladesh into a 1 trillion US dollar economy by 2034. To achieve that goal, the country’s port capacity will have to be significantly increased and this investment by RSGT will play an important role in increasing that capacity.
The Finance Minister expressed hope that “this investment by RSGT will not end; they will invest more in Bangladesh in the future.”
RSGT Bangladesh said that after signing a 22-year concession agreement with the Chittagong Port Authority, the company has invested 170 million US dollars in the modernization of the Patenga Container Terminal.
The investment includes the introduction of a state-of-the-art digital operations system, expansion of terminal infrastructure, installation of hybrid rubber-tied gantry (RTG) cranes and addition of four state-of-the-art Ship-to-Shore (STS) cranes. With these developments, the terminal is now operating at full capacity.
According to the company, this modern terminal will significantly reduce ship turnaround time, increase container handling capacity and help establish Bangladesh as a regional trade and logistics hub.
RSGT Bangladesh expressed gratitude for the cooperation of the Chittagong Port Authority and said that this project is a successful example of Public-Private Partnership (PPP). At the same time, it is a reflection of the growing economic cooperation between Bangladesh and Saudi Arabia. As the country’s first international container terminal operator, RSGT Bangladesh has opened new horizons of global expertise, modern technology and foreign investment.
