Prime Minister to Visit Khulna and Mongla on Thursday

Bangla Press Desk:  Prime Minister Tarique Rahman is scheduled to visit Khulna and Mongla on Thursday (October 22) to accelerate economic development in Bangladesh’s southwestern region, focusing on the vast potential of the Sundarbans and Mongla Port. This will be his first visit to the region as head of government since the election.

According to the itinerary, the prime minister will observe Hiron Point and the natural beauty of the Sundarbans from a helicopter before landing at the Nalion Secondary School ground in Dakop. From there, he will travel by Coast Guard speedboat to Akram Point to assess the feasibility of constructing a proposed LNG terminal.

The prime minister will subsequently reach Mongla Port by waterway and attend a scheduled high-level meeting. He will also inspect the port’s jetties and the proposed Bangladesh Economic Zones Authority (BEZA) economic zone.

Plans to expand the port’s commercial activities, attract new domestic and foreign investment, and create substantial employment opportunities are expected to receive particular attention during the visit.

The prime minister’s upcoming visit has generated considerable enthusiasm among local political activists and residents.

Ameer Ejaz Khan, a member of parliament for the Khulna-1 constituency, said the visit was official in nature. Although no local programme had been scheduled, the administration and local leaders were making preparations for his arrival. Residents were eagerly waiting for an opportunity to see the prime minister, he added.

Dakop Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) Md Borhan Uddin Mithu confirmed the visit. He said that, according to the tentative itinerary, the prime minister would land by helicopter at the Nalion School ground on October 22 before heading to Akram Point by Coast Guard speedboat. However, no formal administrative or political programme had been scheduled for him in Dakop, he added.

Meanwhile, the prime minister is expected to visit Khulna again on November 5, two weeks after the upcoming trip. On that day, he is scheduled to inaugurate the second edition of the Notun Kuri Sports programme at the district stadium.

The visit, which brings together three key areas of the southwestern region—its natural environment, trade and industrialisation—is raising hopes among businesspeople and the general public. Those concerned believe the prime minister’s post-election visit could open a new chapter in the region’s economic development.

BP/SP