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Prime Minister Tarique Rahman speaks at the groundbreaking of the Mongla Port modernisation project
Prime Minister Tarique Rahman on Thursday laid the foundation stone of a Tk 4,068 crore project to expand and modernise Mongla Port, aiming to transform it into a modern international trade hub and promote industrialisation from the country's southwestern region to the northern districts.
The project will involve the construction of two modern container jetties, expansion of cargo handling and storage facilities, and installation of advanced equipment to enhance the port's operational capacity. The government is also planning to develop an industrial corridor from Mongla to Panchagarh, improve road connectivity, ensure gas supply to industries and attract Chinese investment to accelerate regional economic growth.
The prime minister laid the foundation stone at Jetty No. 9 of Mongla Port in Bagerhat at around 11:15am on Thursday. His Deputy Press Secretary Zahidul Islam Rony confirmed the development.
Speaking at the ceremony, Tarique Rahman said the government was working to make Mongla Port more capable, modern and suitable for international trade. He said plans were underway to expand road connectivity from Mongla to Panchagarh and establish industrial zones along the route.
The government is also taking initiatives to ensure an early supply of gas to industrial establishments in Mongla while placing emphasis on increasing the use of renewable energy, he added.
The proposed industrial corridor is expected to create a new economic link between the southwestern and northern regions, facilitating investment, cargo transportation, import-export activities and employment generation.
The four-year project, estimated to cost Tk 4,068 crore, will include the construction of Jetties 10 and 11 under the Mongla Port Authority. It will also involve the development of container loading and unloading yards, a specialised yard for handling hazardous goods and the installation of 49 pieces of modern equipment.
Mongla Port Authority Chairman Rear Admiral Arif Ahmed Mostafa said the construction of the two jetties would significantly increase the port's container handling capacity and provide adequate space for safe container storage.
He expressed optimism that the improved infrastructure and modern equipment would make cargo handling and storage operations faster and more efficient, enabling the port to meet growing international trade demands.
Meanwhile, a new avenue for Chinese investment and infrastructure cooperation emerged during the prime minister's visit to Mongla.
An MoU on economic and infrastructure cooperation was signed between Invest Bangladesh and China's state-owned China Railway Construction Corporation (CRCC).
On behalf of Invest Bangladesh, its Member of Industrial Zones Division Saleh Ahmed signed the agreement, while Li Chongyang, chairman of China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation, signed on behalf of the Chinese side.
Under the agreement, the two sides will explore investment opportunities in key sectors, including energy, industrial infrastructure, green infrastructure, transportation, logistics and human resource development.
The initiative is expected to strengthen bilateral economic cooperation and create new opportunities for industrialisation, infrastructure development and foreign investment in Bangladesh.
Earlier, the prime minister arrived in Mongla by helicopter at around 9:50am on Thursday on a daylong official visit to Khulna and Bagerhat. He attended the MoU signing ceremony before laying the foundation stone of the port modernisation project.
The programme was chaired by Mongla Port Authority Chairman Rear Admiral Arif Ahmed Mostafa. A presentation outlining different aspects of the project was also made at the event.
Chinese Embassy Economic and Commercial Counsellor in Bangladesh and CRCC Chairman Dai Haigen spoke at the ceremony. Shipping, Road Transport and Bridges, and Railways Minister Sheikh Robiul Alam, State Minister for Shipping Rajib Ahsan, and State Minister for Forests, Environment and Climate Sheikh Faridul Islam also addressed the programme.
Chairman of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on the Ministry of Shipping Zainul Abedin Faruk and other committee members, Invest Bangladesh Chairman Chowdhury Ashik Mahmud Bin Harun, senior government officials and journalists were also present.
Shipping Secretary Ataur Rahman Khan delivered the concluding remarks before the prime minister formally laid the foundation stone.
The modernisation initiative is being viewed as a significant infrastructure development for the southwestern region. If the port expansion is accompanied by improved road connectivity, gas supply, industrial zone development and increased foreign investment, it could accelerate economic activities in Khulna, Bagerhat, Satkhira, Jashore and other coastal areas.
The development of industries around Mongla Port could generate local employment, expand business opportunities and attract new investment. Improved connectivity with northern Bangladesh may also increase the use of the port for transporting goods from different parts of the country.
The combined initiatives to modernise Mongla Port, establish an industrial corridor linking Mongla with Panchagarh and expand investment cooperation with China could turn the southwestern region into an important centre of national industrialisation and international trade.
However, the success of these ambitious plans will largely depend on their timely, transparent and effective implementation.
