PM Tarique Rahman Visits Sundarbans and Mongla to Review Development Plans
Bangladesh Prime Minister Tarique Rahman is visiting the southwestern districts of Khulna and Bagerhat on Thursday to assess development opportunities, inspect key infrastructure and review the economic potential of the region.
The daylong tour includes an aerial inspection of the Sundarbans and Hiron Point, a meeting at BNS Mongla naval base, and visits to Mongla Port and a proposed economic zone. The visit is expected to draw attention to port expansion, industrial investment, tourism and regional connectivity.
According to the official itinerary, the prime minister departed for the Sundarbans by helicopter in the morning and was scheduled to observe Hiron Point and surrounding forest areas from the air. He would then travel through Dacope in Khulna before proceeding by waterway to BNS Mongla in Bagerhat.
Later in the day, he is scheduled to inspect Mongla Port’s operations and jetty facilities before visiting the proposed Bangladesh Economic Zones Authority (BEZA) economic zone. The programme also includes a meeting with relevant officials to discuss regional development priorities.
Port infrastructure is expected to be a major focus. Local business representatives have called for regular dredging of the port channel to improve navigability and allow larger vessels to access the port. They have also highlighted the need to address infrastructure bottlenecks that could limit trade and industrial growth.
Plans for Chinese investment in the region are another key issue. A proposed special economic zone and the expansion of industrial facilities could create opportunities for manufacturing, exports and employment if the projects move forward successfully.
The government is also considering plans for an LNG terminal near Akram Point in the Sundarbans, with gas potentially transported by pipeline to industrial facilities around Mongla. The proposed project remains subject to further assessment and decisions on the location.
Tourism operators have urged the government to protect the Sundarbans’ biodiversity while developing sustainable ecotourism facilities. Improved tourism infrastructure, they say, could attract more visitors and generate income for local communities.
The visit comes as Bangladesh continues efforts to modernise Mongla Port and strengthen the southwestern region’s role in national trade. A financing agreement worth approximately $335.78 million with China’s Export-Import Bank was signed earlier in October to support the expansion and modernisation of the port, including new container terminals and related facilities.
Reporting by Borderless for The Borderless Journal. Filed under Uncategorized · 22 Oct 2026, 12:15.
