Bangladesh and Japan today resumed negotiations with a Japanese consortium in a renewed effort to operationalise the long-delayed Third Terminal of HSIA on a win-win basis. Photo: Ministry

DHAKA, March 13, 2026 (BSS) - Bangladesh and Japan today resumed negotiations with a Japanese consortium in a renewed effort to operationalise the long-delayed Third Terminal of Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport (HSIA) on a win-win basis.

Civil Aviation and Tourism Minister Afroza Khanom (Rita) told BSS after the meeting, "We had a good meeting. We are trying to make the third terminal operational as soon as possible as per the instruction of honourable Prime Minister Tarique Rahman. We hope we will reach a win-win deal with Japan to open the new terminal."

The high-level meeting was held at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, marking the first formal negotiation under the newly formed BNP-led government, reflecting a fresh push to resolve contractual and operational deadlocks that have kept the nearly completed terminal idle.

Foreign Minister Dr Khalilur Rahman, Civil Aviation and Tourism Minister Afroza Khanom Rita, Prime Minister's Foreign Affairs Adviser Humayun Kabir, State Minister for Civil Aviation and Tourism M Rashiduzzaman Millat and State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shama Obaed Islam represented the Bangladesh side, among others, during the negotiations.

While talking to journalists, Humayun Kabir and State Minister Millat described the discussions as positive and expressed optimism that a mutually acceptable solution could be reached soon.

Millat mentioned Bangladesh and Japan are seeking a solution beneficial for Bangladesh while correcting shortcomings in earlier agreements to ensure a "win-win" outcome for operating HSIA's third terminal.

The state minister said there were complications regarding certain charges and operational issues in the agreement related to the management of the third terminal.

He explained that civil aviation agreements generally involve three categories of charges, and differences had emerged between the two sides over some of these issues.

"Both sides discussed the matter in detail. Bangladesh presented its proposals and the Japanese side also shared their position," Millat said.

He added that the Japanese side has agreed to consider Bangladesh's proposals and submit a revised offer shortly, after which further discussions will be held to finalise the arrangement.

Humayun Kabir said the government is examining the matter with Bangladesh's national interest as the top priority. "The discussions between the two sides are progressing positively, and we hope to see meaningful progress soon," he said.

The latest meeting follows the Prime Minister's instruction to reopen negotiations with the Japanese consortium to operationalise the long-delayed terminal, which is more than 99 percent complete but has yet to begin full commercial operations.

Civil Aviation Authority of Bangladesh (CAAB) officials said the delay largely resulted from indecision during the previous interim government, when negotiations over terminal management, operational control and revenue-sharing arrangements failed to reach consensus.

The Japanese consortium involved in the project included Japan Airport Terminal Company, Sumitomo Corporation, Sojitz Corporation and Narita International Airport Corporation, while the terminal project was largely financed by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA).

Project was approved in 2017 and launched in 2019 at a cost of about Tk 21,398 crore, the terminal spans around 542,000 square metres and is designed to handle an additional 12-16 million passengers annually along with nearly 900,000 tonnes of cargo.

Industry stakeholders believed operationalising the facility is crucial for easing congestion at Dhaka airport and advancing Bangladesh's ambition to emerge as a regional aviation hub in South and Southeast Asia.