Dhaka, Sept. 24 -- Bangladesh is turning to global port operators and foreign investment to shake up the management of Chittagong Port.

Shipping Minister Sheikh Rabiul Alam on Thursday said the country can no longer afford to leave its maritime potential underused.

The government has opened the way for foreign companies with expertise in container and port handling to help overcome what Rabiul described as the port's "existing state of stagnation".

"The management of ships, containers and cargo centred around Chittagong Port was in a stagnant state; it was not up to the required standard," he said.

Pointing to PCT, NCT, CCT and the Laldia and Bay Terminal projects, Rabiul said foreign investment and technological advances were needed ...