Prime Minister Tarique Rahman on Thursday unveiled plans to develop an industrial corridor stretching from Mongla in the southwest to Panchagarh in the north, seeking to revive struggling industrial regions, attract investment and create employment through expanded port facilities, energy infrastructure and improved connectivity.
During a daylong visit to Bagerhat and Khulna, he laid the foundation stone of a Tk4,068 crore project to expand and modernise Mongla Port, witnessed the signing of an investment cooperation agreement with a Chinese state-owned company and pledged to reopen closed factories while encouraging the establishment of new industries.
The prime minister also assured workers that a new minimum wage would be fixed within one or two months, as garment workers continued demonstrations across several industrial areas demanding higher pay.
Addressing a roadside meeting at Katakhali intersection on the Khulna-Mongla highway, Tarique said his government wanted to restore Khulna’s former industrial prominence and extend industrial development across Bagerhat, Kushtia, Chuadanga and other districts towards Panchagarh.
He said the government would gradually develop the necessary electricity, gas and transport infrastructure to attract factories and generate employment along the proposed corridor.
Industrialisation plan
Earlier, the prime minister laid the foundation stone of the Tk4,068 crore Mongla Port expansion and modernisation project, which includes two container jetties and supporting infrastructure to increase cargo-handling capacity and improve services.
Speaking at the ceremony, he described Mongla as a potential economic hub for the country’s southwestern and northwestern regions.
He said modernising the port would help expand trade and industrial activities in Khulna, Bagerhat, Satkhira and Jashore while strengthening economic connectivity with northern districts.
The government also plans to improve road links between Panchagarh and Mongla, expand port supply chains and facilitate cargo transportation.
According to the prime minister’s deputy press secretary, the project would enable direct container train services between Kamalapur Inland Container Depot in Dhaka and Mongla Port once the necessary facilities are operational.
Tarique also identified the development and operation of Khan Jahan Ali Airport as a government priority.
He stressed that the project’s success would depend not merely on completing infrastructure but also on reducing cargo-handling costs, improving efficiency and attracting investment.
China investment cooperation
At Mongla Port, the prime minister witnessed the signing of a memorandum of understanding between Invest Bangladesh and China Railway Construction Corporation (CRCC) on economic and infrastructure cooperation.
Invest Bangladesh Member (Industrial Zones) Saleh Ahmed and China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation Chairman Li Chongyang signed the agreement.
The cooperation framework covers potential investment in energy, industrial and environmentally sustainable infrastructure, transport, logistics and human resource development.
Tarique later held discussions with a Chinese delegation led by CRCC Chairman Dai Hegen.
He urged Chinese investors to establish industries around Mongla and emphasised the importance of reliable electricity and gas supplies for industrial expansion.
The prime minister also thanked the Chinese delegation for supporting opportunities for Bangladeshi workers to secure employment with Chinese companies in the Middle East.
Jobs, sports and election pledges
The prime minister said the government wanted to reopen closed mills and factories, including state-owned establishments, and encourage domestic and foreign investment to create employment.
Later, he visited the shrine of Hazrat Khan Jahan Ali in Bagerhat, where he offered prayers.
In Khulna, he inaugurated the second season of Notun Kuri Sports at the district stadium, highlighting the importance of sports, arts and cultural activities alongside academic education.
He said the government was committed to fulfilling its election promises and developing the next generation through education and extracurricular activities.
Around 1.6 million children are participating in the nationwide sporting initiative, according to the program details provided.
The prime minister also reiterated that his government would continue efforts to strengthen the economy despite global challenges.