Dhaka – Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has laid the foundation stone of the Mongla Port modernization and expansion project in the south-western district of Bagerhat.
"If Mongla Port is modernized and its facilities are expanded... it will become a promising economic hub for the country's south-west and north-west," the Prime Minister said while addressing a ceremony in Mongla on Thursday.
The Tk 4,068 crore "Mongla Port Facilities Expansion and Modernization" project, once implemented, will turn Mongla into a promising economic hub for the country's south-western and north-western regions, he said.
The Prime Minister said capacity building and modernization of the port will strengthen trade links with different parts of the country and help expand economic activities.
There is huge scope to expand economic activities in the south-western districts such as Khulna, Bagerhat, Satkhira, and Jashore, centering on the port, he said.
"Development of Khan Jahan Ali Airport is also one of our priorities. In the present global order, it is extremely important to keep energy and food security effective above all," he said.
"I firmly believe Mongla Port, as a complementary port for importing fuel, fertilizer, foodgrains, and industrial raw materials and exporting domestic products, can further enrich national economic security," he added.
Tarique Rahman said the initiative will help strengthen the country's industry, trade, and economic security, and add sustainable socio-economic value, especially in youth employment, entrepreneurs' confidence in investment, and balanced regional development.
The project includes two container jetties and related infrastructure.
Once the project is implemented, container trains from Dhaka's Kamalapur Inland Container Depot (ICD) will be able to run directly to Mongla Port, turning it into a major import-export hub of the country, he said.
Under the modernization project, necessary infrastructure is being built, he said.
"If the work is completed on time, the economic condition of this region will change, Inshallah, and a new door of economic possibilities will open not only for this region but for the whole country," he added.
The real success of any project depends on how much port service quality improves, how much the time and cost of cargo handling fall, how much investment and employment grow, and how much the environment is protected, he said.
"We must follow international environmental and safety standards, build climate-resilient infrastructure, and increase the use of renewable energy," he said.
In this connection, he stressed eco-friendly service management, pollution control, and safe waste management of ships.
He also said fire safety, trained manpower, and emergency response capacity are needed to handle hazardous operations.
