Shipping, Textiles and Jute Adviser Brigadier General (Retired) M Sakhawat Hossain Wednesday said the Mongla port will be shifted to modern and international standards.
“The government has taken some projects for the development of Mongla port with ongoing schemes,” he said while addressing a meeting with the port’s high officials at Mongla Port Authority (MPA) conference room.
MPA Chairman Rear Admiral Shaheen Rahman presided over the meeting.
The adviser said that the government will sign a deed with China for development of the port as necessary establishments will be built under the project.
The port will turn into one of the South Asian connectivity hubs after completion of the project, he said.
Terming the Mongla port is very important considering its geographical location, Sakhawat said Nepal and Bhutan can use the sea port for their greater interest.
He said the port is playing an important role in the country’s economy.
A power point presentation on the port activities was screened in the meeting.
Members, director (Administration), head of different departments and high officials of the MPA, among others, attended it.
Later, the Adviser visited different places of Pashur Chanel, the Vessel Traffic Monitoring and Information System (VTMIS), waste management and the permanent jetty area of the port.
Replying to a question at that time, he said the government is working to reopen the closed jute mills through private leasing.
Former laborers’ of the closed jute mills to get job opportunities after its reopening, he added.
The adviser added that Mongla’s rail and waterway connections make it a convenient port for landlocked neighboring countries like Nepal and Bhutan.
There are also plans to construct two new yards and other structures funded by India’s LOC-3.
Upon completion, these projects will transform the port.
The development of the connecting road is ongoing and expected to finish soon.
Mongla’s tariff structure is often lower than Chittagong Port’s, providing an advantage for trade.
The port authority plans to produce a promotional brochure to highlight these benefits, which will be sent to Bangladesh’s missions abroad.
Mongla is Bangladesh’s second-largest seaport, strategically important due to its geographical location and significant economic contributions.
Located only 210 kilometers from Dhaka by road, the port is also connected by rail and waterways to the capital and other parts of the country, making it crucial for the nation’s infrastructure.
