The government of Bangladesh has established a high-level coordination committee to accelerate the development of nine key projects under the Maheshkhali Integrated Development Authority (MIDA), with a target completion date set for 2029. This move aims to streamline processes related to land acquisition, compensation, rehabilitation, and project implementation in the Maheshkhali area.
MIDA, formed under an ordinance effective from August 1, 2025, functions as a centralized administrative authority overseeing diverse sectors including energy, port expansion, township development, logistics, and seven economic zones on Moheshkhali Island. The region currently hosts a 1,200 megawatt power plant alongside liquefied natural gas (LNG) terminals, positioning it as a strategic hub in Bangladesh’s energy and industrial landscape.
The newly constituted committee was announced through a Prime Minister’s Office notification dated September 14. It is chaired by the principal secretary to the prime minister and includes secretaries from several key divisions: land, finance, planning, shipping, and power. The group’s mandate is to establish clear timelines and directives to expedite land acquisition, ensure fair compensation for affected people, and oversee the rehabilitation and livelihood restoration of displaced communities. Its jurisdiction primarily encompasses MIDA-managed projects and surrounding areas.
The nine priority projects under this initiative cover a broad spectrum of infrastructure and industrial developments. Among these are the construction of the Matarbari sea port, involving components managed by the Chittagong Port Authority and the Roads and Highways Department. The projects also include plans for a land-based LNG terminal, a land-based liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) terminal and storage facility, as well as a third floating storage regasification unit.
Further components involve energy generation facilities, specifically the third and fourth coal-fired power plants operated by Coal Power Generation Company Bangladesh Limited. In addition, the agenda features the construction of an oil refinery and petrochemical complex, a dockyard/shipyard, and the establishment of a dedicated MIDA office.
This coordinated approach is designed to address the complexities of executing large-scale infrastructure projects in a timely manner, particularly those involving multiple government agencies and significant land use considerations. Through the committee’s oversight, the government anticipates accelerated progress in harnessing the industrial potential of the Maheshkhali region, which is viewed as a critical driver for economic growth and energy security in Bangladesh.