Mongla:Prime Minister Tarique Rahman is set to lay the foundation stone for the Tk 4,068 crore Mongla Port Expansion and Modernization Project tomorrow. This initiative marks a significant step in transforming the country's second-largest seaport into a modern regional trade and logistics hub.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, the project aims to significantly enhance the port's container-handling capacity, boost maritime connectivity, facilitate international trade, and attract investment to southwestern Bangladesh. It is also expected to foster industrial development, economic growth, and employment opportunities in the region.
The project, formally titled "Expansion and Modernization of Mongla Port Facilities," is being carried out by the Mongla Port Authority under the Ministry of Shipping. The China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation, a subsidiary of China Railway Construction Corporation, has been appointed as the Engineering, Procurement, and Construction contractor for this undertaking.
A joint financing effort by the governments of Bangladesh and China is making the project possible. The Chinese government is contributing a concessional loan of approximately US$335.78 million through the Export-Import Bank of China. Shipping Minister Shaikh Rabiul Alam and State Minister for Shipping Md Razib Ahsan are expected to attend the ceremony, highlighting the strategic importance of the project in fortifying Bangladesh's maritime infrastructure.
The expansion project will include the construction of two modern container jetties, advanced cargo-handling facilities, and supporting infrastructure, aiming for an annual container-handling capacity of approximately 394,000 twenty-foot equivalent units. The terminal will feature extensive container yards and a hazardous cargo-handling yard to enhance cargo management and operational efficiency.
The financing framework was established during Prime Minister Rahman's visit to China on June 25, 2026, leading to a loan agreement worth RMB 2.404 billion with the Export-Import Bank of China. A high-level Chinese delegation is scheduled to meet with Prime Minister Rahman, focusing on expanding bilateral investment cooperation. A Memorandum of Understanding on investment cooperation between Invest Bangladesh and China Railway Construction Corporation is also planned to be signed.
Prime Minister Rahman's visit to Mongla comes just two weeks after his previous visit, underscoring the government's commitment to accelerating infrastructure development and economic growth in southwestern Bangladesh. The Mongla Port expansion is anticipated to enhance Bangladesh's trade competitiveness and support long-term economic development.