Photo : BSS

COX’S BAZAR, Sept 8, 2025 (BSS) - Local people in Moheshkhali of Cox’s Bazar have appreciated the government's plan to develop Moheshkhali-Matarbari as a deep seaport-oriented township since it will create jobs for them.

"If the government implements the plan, it will be a blessing for all," Sanaullah Mustafa, a resident of Banglabazar area in Matarbari told BSS.

Abdul Monaf, an inhabitant of Nasirdail village located in front of Matarbari Ultra Super Critical Coal-Fired Power Plant, said Matarbari deep seaport will be established closed to his village. 

"Under the government's plan, once the seaport is established, our houses will be reclaimed. But, it will be good for our locality," he said. 

He also hoped that when Matarbari seaport would become operational, a lot of job opportunities would be created for local people, which would help them improve their living standards.

To develop Mosheshkhali-Matarbai, the government has already established the Moheshkhali Integrated Development Authority (Mida) with Bangladesh Investment Development Authority (BIDA) Chairman Chowdhury Ashik Mahmud Bin Harun as its chief. 

Its task is to prepare a master plan covering ports and logistics, industry and manufacturing, energy, fisheries processing and residential township.

Recently, Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus held a meeting with the members of Moheshkhali Integrated Development Authority (MIDA) at his official Jamuna residence.

Speaking at the meeting, Prof Yunus said a new city will emerge in Moheshkhali-Matarbari coastlines, the scene of the ongoing deep seaport, as part of Bangladesh’s vision for a blue economy.

“Not just a deep sea port, we have to work with the vision of building a blue economy. This area will not only be a facilitating zone, but a new city will emerge there,” he said. 

At the meeting, Mida chairman Chowdhury Ashik gave a presentation on the Moheshkhali-Matarbari project and outlined the authority’s four-month action plan saying the mega project would be implemented in three phases - 2025 to 2030, 2030 to 2045, and 2045 to 2055.

He said the project on its completion is expected to generate employment for 25 lakh people and contribute US$150 billion to the GDP.

Lauding the role of Chowdhury Ashik, Sanaullah Mustafa said if the government's plan to develop Moheshkhali-Matarbari is implemented under Chowdhury Ashik, it would be a great for them.

"It is a good plan of the government. We welcome it. Once the plan is implemented, our working opportunities will increase and the country's productivity will go up too," said Syed Noor, a resident of Moheshkhali.

Matarbari Port is an under-construction seaport on the shores of Bay of Bengal, located at Moheshkhali upazila. Once completed, it will be Bangladesh's first deep seaport.