Boost Trade Capacity, Clear Cargo Faster: PM Issues Directives at Mongla Port

Prime Minister Tareq Rahman has directed officials to strengthen Mongla port's international trade capacity and ensure faster cargo clearance. He also urged them to accelerate the port's modernization program.

On Thursday (October 22), the prime minister reached Mongla via Dakope in Khulna and inspected the naval base, the port and the proposed economic zone. He arrived at BNS Mongla around 12:45 pm. After the midday break, he joined a meeting at the wardroom's conference hall at 3 pm, and afterwards inspected the port jetty and the proposed Bangladesh Economic Zones Authority (BEZA) economic zone.

During the inspection, the prime minister reviewed the port's overall operational activities, including expansion projects, jetty facilities and the container yard. He gave officials guidance on making port operations more dynamic and boosting capacity in international trade.

Earlier, he had travelled by road from the naval base to the port jetty, entering the jetty area through the main gate at around 3 pm. Senior officials of the Mongla Port Authority and representatives of the shipping ministry were present. After the inspection, he left for Dhaka by helicopter.

The day began at around 8:30 am, when he left his residence by road for Tejgaon airport. At 9 am he flew by helicopter toward the Sundarbans, observing Hiron Point and surrounding areas before landing at around 10:30 am on the field of Nalian Secondary School in Dakope upazila. He then travelled by waterway from Nalian launch terminal toward Mongla.

The visit has raised fresh expectations among local residents and businesspeople about the economic potential of the south-west, centred on Mongla port, the proposed economic zone and a possible LNG terminal. They hope the visit will speed up development work, attract domestic and foreign investment, and create new jobs.

Beyond the port's commercial prospects, creating alternative employment in the coastal communities adjoining the Sundarbans is also vital for the region. Observers say overcoming long-standing infrastructure constraints through port development, the economic zone and an LNG terminal will be key to advancing the south-west's economy.

Port stakeholders say delays in cargo clearance push up import-export costs and add to traders' suffering. Faster clearance would build confidence among port users and directly strengthen trade capacity — the message they read in the prime minister's directives.

Locals hope the visit will unblock stalled projects. In particular, faster progress on jetty expansion and container-handling capacity would give Mongla port a stronger position on the map of international trade.

The prime minister also toured the proposed economic zone area. Entrepreneurs hope that once the zone is operational, factory investments will bring large-scale investment to the region.

After the inspection, the prime minister returned to Dhaka by helicopter. Attention now turns to implementation — how quickly the promises of faster clearance and modernization take shape will decide Mongla port's future pace.