BanglaPress Desk: Prime Minister Tareq Rahman is set to visit Khulna and Mongla on Thursday (October 22) with the objective of harnessing the immense potential of the Sundarbans—a World Heritage site—and accelerating the economic progress of the country’s southwestern region, centered around the Mongla Port. This marks his first visit to the region as the head of government following the recent general election. The Prime Minister’s significant arrival has created a festive atmosphere throughout the southwestern region, including Khulna and Mongla.
According to the announced itinerary, the Prime Minister will observe the natural beauty and biodiversity of the Sundarbans from a helicopter. His helicopter will then land on the grounds of Nalian Secondary School in the Dakop Upazila of Khulna. From there, he will travel by a special Bangladesh Coast Guard speedboat toward Akram Point, located near the Bay of Bengal. Upon reaching Akram Point, he will conduct an on-site assessment of the feasibility of constructing a proposed LNG terminal.
Following his visit to Akram Point, the Prime Minister will travel by waterway directly to Mongla Port. There, he is scheduled to participate in a key policy-making meeting with senior port officials, maritime experts, and local stakeholders. During the visit, he will also inspect the commercial jetties of Mongla Port, as well as the designated site for an economic zone under the Bangladesh Economic Zones Authority (BEZA).
According to relevant sources, the primary goal of this visit is to implement a long-term plan aimed at significantly enhancing the operational capacity and commercial activities of Mongla Port, elevating its status as an international maritime route, attracting major domestic and foreign investments, and creating employment opportunities for hundreds of thousands of people in the region. Regarding the Prime Minister’s visit, Amir Ejaz Khan, Member of Parliament for the Khulna-1 (Dacope-Batiaghata) constituency, stated, “This visit by the Honorable Prime Minister is entirely official in nature. Although there are no specific political programs scheduled locally, her arrival has generated immense enthusiasm among party activists, the general public, and the administration. Local residents are eagerly awaiting a glimpse of their beloved leader and the head of government.”
Dacope Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) Md. Borhan Uddin Mithu confirmed the visit, noting, “Administrative preparations are already complete. According to the scheduled itinerary, the Prime Minister will arrive by helicopter at the Nalian School grounds on October 22, from where she will travel to Akram Point by speedboat. There will be no formal administrative or political rallies held in Dacope itself.”
Meanwhile, just two weeks after this significant visit, the Prime Minister is set to return to Khulna on November 5. On that day, she will inaugurate the second edition of the highly anticipated ‘Notun Kuri Sports’ event, to be held at the Khulna District Stadium.
The local populace and prominent business figures are enthusiastic about the vision to integrate the region’s world-class natural beauty with its potential for international trade—centered around the Mongla port—and industrial development. According to local economists, this visit by the head of government, occurring shortly after the elections, transcends a routine inspection; it promises to open new and hopeful horizons for the region’s tourism, port-based commerce, and overall economy.
BP/KJ
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