PM Sees Mongla Port as Economic Hub for Two Regions

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman on Thursday expressed hope that the modernisation of Mongla Port would turn it into a major economic hub for the country's southwestern and northwestern regions, creating new opportunities for trade, investment and industrialisation.

“I firmly believe Mongla Port can become a promising economic hub for the southwestern and northwestern regions of the country,” he said while laying the foundation stone of the Tk4,068 crore Mongla Port Expansion and Modernisation Project at a ceremony in Mongla, Bagerhat.

The Prime Minister said economic activities could be expanded across Khulna, Bagerhat, Satkhira and Jashore, centring on the port.

He described the modernisation of Mongla Port as a step towards achieving the country's trillion-dollar economic target, stressing the need to ensure navigability, reliable navigation channels, safe vessel movement and competitive port services.

Tarique said the government wanted to improve road connectivity from Panchagarh to Mongla, alongside developing the port's supply chain and cargo transportation facilities.

He added that the development and operation of Khan Jahan Ali Airport were also among the government's priorities.

The Prime Minister said Mongla Port could strengthen the country's economic security by serving as a complementary port for importing fuel, fertiliser, food grains and industrial raw materials, as well as exporting locally produced goods.

“The initiative will help strengthen the country's industry, trade and economic security. In particular, it will create sustainable socio-economic value by generating employment for the younger generation, boosting investors' confidence and ensuring balanced regional development,” he said.

Thanking the Chinese government for its continued support for Bangladesh's infrastructure and trade development, Tarique said the modernisation project would include a modern container terminal, yards and cargo-handling facilities.

He expressed confidence that timely completion of the project would transform the region's economic landscape and create new opportunities across the country.

Prime Minister’s Deputy Press Secretary Jahidul Islam Rony said Tarique laid the foundation stone at around 11:15am for a project involving the construction of two container jetties and associated infrastructure at a cost of Tk4,068 crore.

Once completed, container trains will be able to travel directly from Kamalapur Inland Container Depot in Dhaka to Mongla Port, helping establish it as a major import-export hub, he said.

The Prime Minister also planted a tree on the port premises during the visit.

Tarique said the project's success would depend not only on completing construction but also on improving port services, reducing cargo-handling time and costs, attracting investment, creating jobs and protecting the environment.

He stressed the importance of environment-friendly services, pollution control and safe management of waste from ships. He also called for compliance with international environmental and safety standards, the construction of climate-resilient infrastructure and greater use of renewable energy.

The Prime Minister further emphasised the need to strengthen fire safety, train personnel and improve emergency response capacity, particularly for hazardous operations.

Calling on international partners, development organisations and expatriate Bangladeshis to invest in the country, he said the government was committed to creating an investment-friendly environment through simplified services, reliable infrastructure and policy continuity.

Tarique also called for making Mongla Port more attractive to international shipping companies and developing it as a first-call port under appropriate commercial and operational conditions.

He said the government had already started taking steps to ensure gas supplies to industries in the region.

“We want to supply gas to industries. We have already started working on this,” the Prime Minister said, expressing the government's intention to revive the industrial heritage of the Khulna region, which once had numerous mills and factories.

Road Transport and Bridges, and Shipping Minister Shaikh Rabiul Alam, State Minister for Shipping Razib Ahsan, State Minister for Environment Shaikh Faridul Islam, Mongla Port Authority Chairman Rear Admiral Arif Ahmed Mustafa and China Railway Construction Corporation Chairman Dai Hegen also spoke at the programme.