Unlocking the Potential: Sundarbans, Mongla Port, and Economic Zone
Prime Minister Tarique Rahman is undertaking an official visit to Khulna and Mongla on Thursday, October 22, to directly assess the economic potential of the south-western region. The high-profile tour focuses on harnessing the natural resources of the Sundarbans, boosting eco-friendly tourism, evaluating commercial operations at Mongla Port, and reviewing the proposed Bangladesh Economic Zones Authority (BEZA) economic zone. This inaugural visit by the head of government following the election has generated widespread optimism among residents and stakeholders, who anticipate that integrated development will unlock massive employment and commercial opportunities.
The PM’s scheduled itinerary combines aerial surveys, waterway transit, and key infrastructure inspections across critical regional hubs. After conducting an aerial observation of Hiron Point and the world’s largest mangrove forest, the Sundarbans, via helicopter, PM Tarique Rahman will land at the Nalian Secondary School ground in Dacope Upazila. During this leg, discussions regarding the potential establishment of a proposed LNG terminal may arise. From Nalian, he will travel by waterway to Mongla Port to participate in a designated meeting and inspect the port’s jetties alongside the proposed BEZA site.
Port expansion and industrial setup form the core foundation of the government’s economic drive for the south-western belt. Mongla Port stands as the region’s primary economic engine, where expanding cargo-handling infrastructure and establishing seamless connectivity with national industrial networks are expected to attract foreign and domestic investments. Simultaneously, the proposed BEZA economic zone is poised to spur local manufacturing, freight transport, and supply chain logistics. At the same time, the prospective LNG terminal could provide crucial energy support to accelerate regional industrialisation while keeping environmental conservation intact.
Key local officials and political leaders highlighted the meticulous preparations undertaken in Dacope to welcome the PM. Amir Ejaz Khan, MP for the Khulna-1 constituency, stated, ‘The PM is arriving at Nalian in Dacope on Thursday, October 22. It is an official visit without local public programs. Yet, both the local leaders and the administration have made full preparations, and the people are eagerly awaiting a glimpse of the PM.’ Additionally, Dacope Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) Md. Borhan Uddin Mitu confirmed that after landing at the Nalian school ground, the PM will depart for Akram Point aboard a Coast Guard speedboat.
This direct inspection by the PM is viewed as a decisive catalyst for transforming the Khulna-Mongla corridor into a thriving industrial hub. Residents remain confident that these initiatives will balance economic growth with the protection of the fragile Sundarbans ecosystem. Following this comprehensive trip, PM Tarique Rahman is also slated to return to Khulna on November 5 to inaugurate the second season of the ‘Notun Kuri Sports’ tournament at the District Stadium, reinforcing the administration’s sustained focus on the development of the region.
