Staff Reporter:
State Minister for Civil Aviation and Tourism M Rashiduzzaman Millat on Thursday voiced optimism that the deal on Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport’s third terminal will be finalised at a high-level meeting on Friday, saying key financial gaps have been clarified and Japan has signalled its support.
“I am hopeful that we would be able to reach a conclusion about the deal tomorrow,” he told BSS.
The state minister said the Civil Aviation and Tourism Minister Afroza Khanam Rita and he held a meeting with the Japanese Ambassador regarding the negotiations at the Secretariat on Thursday noon.
“The financial gap has been explained to the Japanese Ambassador, who has shown sympathy and assured that he will push the consortium and ministry,” Millat said.
The state minister said the third terminal remained closed for about one and a half years during the interim government period, preventing several foreign airlines from launching operations in Bangladesh.
“If consensus is reached, it may take nearly three months to sign the agreement,” he said, adding that inauguration of the terminal is expected by the end of this year or between January and February in 2027.
Millat said Prime Minister Tarique Rahman, soon after assuming office, directed authorities to open the third terminal at the earliest, prompting formulation of an action plan and fresh negotiations with the Japanese consortium.
Detailing recent developments, he said a series of meetings were held, including at the Foreign Ministry on the 13th, followed by discussions on a revised proposal at the Civil Aviation Authority last Monday and Tuesday.
After that, he said the Civil Aviation Authority and the project consultant, the International Finance Corporation (IFC), briefed Afroza and him on the current financial gap on Wednesday.
The final negotiation meeting is scheduled for Friday at 3pm at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
The Bangladesh side will likely be represented by Foreign Minister Dr Khalilur Rahman, Civil Aviation and Tourism Minister Afroza Khanam, Prime Minister’s Foreign Affairs Adviser Humayun Kabir, State Minister M Rashiduzzaman Millat and State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shama Obaed Islam, among others, official sources said.
Vice-ministers for Japanese Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism (MLIT), high representatives of JICA and the Japanese consortium will represent the Japanese side during the meeting.
The Japanese consortium comprising Japan Airport Terminal Company, Sumitomo Corporation, Sojitz Corporation and Narita International Airport Corporation has submitted a revised offer with reduced pricing, significantly narrowing differences.
The terminal project itself was largely financed by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) and constructed at an estimated cost of Tk21,398 crore.
Spanning around 542,000 square metres, it is designed to handle an additional 12 to 16 million passengers annually along with nearly 900,000 tonnes of cargo.
