Tk 4,682.3 m project inaugurated : Govt to build infrastructure for industrialization from Mongla to northern regions: PM Tarique Rahman
Ali Azim, Mongla (Bagerhat):
The government will take initiatives to build the necessary infrastructure to expand economic activities from the southwestern to the northern regions of the country. To this end, Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has said that adequate electricity and gas supply will be ensured for industries from Mongla to the northern regions.
The Prime Minister said that initiatives will be taken to establish new industries in Mongla, adding that besides increasing industrialization in the region, the government will take quick steps to build the necessary infrastructure to accelerate economic activities from Mongla to the northern region.
He said this while speaking as the chief guest at the inauguration of the foundation stone of the project being implemented at a cost of Tk 4,682.3 million to increase the capacity and modernize Mongla Port and the signing ceremony of a memorandum of understanding between Invest Bangladesh and China Railway Construction Corporation (CRCC) at 11:30 am on Thursday.
Outlining the outline of putting the country's overall economy on a strong foundation, Prime Minister Tarique Rahman said that the government has set a goal of increasing the size of Bangladesh's economy to one trillion dollars by 2030. To achieve this goal, emphasis is being placed on increasing investment, industrialization, export diversification, energy and food security, and creating skilled human resources.
Calling for increased Chinese investment in Bangladesh, the Prime Minister said that Bangladesh and China are keen to work together. More Chinese investment is needed for the country's economic development. The Prime Minister described the day as important and joyful and praised the role of Chinese investors in the country's efforts to build a strong economic foundation.
Earlier, Prime Minister Tarique Rahman exchanged views with a high-level delegation led by Dai Hegen, chairman of China Railway Construction Corporation (CRCC), a state-owned Chinese company.
During the meeting, they discussed various issues related to expanding bilateral investment cooperation, including infrastructure development, industrial investment, establishment of special economic zones, and employment creation.
Representatives of Invest Bangladesh were also present at the event. In addition, a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on investment cooperation was signed between Invest Bangladesh and CRCC. It is expected that this will attract Chinese investment to Bangladesh and create new areas of cooperation in large infrastructure and industrial development projects.
The Mongla Port Authority (MPA) under the Ministry of Shipping is implementing the project. China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation (CCECC), a subsidiary of China's state-owned China Railway Construction Corporation (CRCC), is working as the engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) contractor for the project.
The project is being implemented with joint funding from Bangladesh and China. The Chinese government is providing about 335.78 million US dollars in soft loan assistance through the Exim Bank of China.
Under the project, two modern container jetties, No. 10 and No. 11, with a combined length of 368 meters, will be constructed. Along with this, modern cargo handling equipment and necessary supporting infrastructure will be installed. Once these facilities are operational, it will be possible to handle about 394,000 TEU containers per year.
In addition, a loaded container yard of 87,600 square meters, an empty container yard of 34,170 square meters, and a dangerous goods handling yard of 4,260 square meters will be constructed. These infrastructures will make the port's goods storage, management, and handling activities more efficient and dynamic.
During Prime Minister Tarique Rahman's visit to China last June, a framework agreement was signed between the China International Development Cooperation Agency (CIDCA) and the Economic Relations Department (ERD) of Bangladesh on financing the project. As a follow-up, a loan agreement of 2.404 billion Chinese yuan, or about 3,592.9 million taka in Bangladeshi currency, was signed with China's Exim Bank on October 10.
The foundation stone laying ceremony was attended by Minister for Shipping, Road Transport and Bridges and Railways Sheikh Rabiul Alam, State Minister for Shipping and Bridges Md. Rajib Ahsan, senior government officials, representatives of the Chinese Embassy in Bangladesh, and representatives of CRCC and CCECC.
He had previously visited the region on October 22. Those concerned believe that her visit in a short period of time reflects the government's importance in developing the infrastructure of the southwestern region, attracting domestic and foreign investment, and harnessing the economic potential of the region.
According to them, if the expansion and modernization project of Mongla Port is implemented, new possibilities will be created in the country's maritime trade. In addition, the port will be able to play a more important role in increasing regional trade and communication with neighboring countries, strengthening Bangladesh's competitiveness in the international market and the long-term development of the national economy.
