The government plans to transform Mongla into an industrial hub by establishing new factories and attracting increased Chinese investment, Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has said.

To facilitate the initiative, the government will develop necessary infrastructure to expand economic activities from Mongla to the northern region of the country and ensure adequate supplies of electricity and gas.

The prime minister made the remarks during a meeting with a high-level delegation of China’s state-owned China Railway Construction Corporation (CRCC) in Mongla, Bagerhat, on Thursday (November 5).

Tarique Rahman invited greater Chinese investment in Bangladesh, saying both countries were interested in working together and that opportunities for Chinese investment should be expanded to accelerate the country’s economic development.

He said the government wanted to create opportunities for industrialisation beyond port-centred economic activities, extending them towards the northern region.

He added that necessary infrastructure would be developed quickly and adequate electricity and gas supplies would be ensured to meet industrial demand.

During the meeting, the prime minister also thanked the Chinese delegation for its cooperation in facilitating the recruitment of Bangladeshi workers in Chinese companies in the Middle East.

Describing the day as significant and joyful, he expressed gratitude to Chinese investors for their contributions to efforts to build a strong economic foundation for Bangladesh.

Earlier, in the presence of the prime minister, Invest Bangladesh and CRCC signed a memorandum of understanding on economic and infrastructure cooperation. The Chinese delegation was led by CRCC Chairman Dai Hegen.