Photo: Collected
Invest Bangladesh and China Railway Construction Corporation (CRCC) signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) in Mongla, Bagerhat on Thursday morning in the presence of Prime Minister Tarique Rahman. Its aim is to broaden economic and infrastructure cooperation between Bangladesh and China.
Saleh Ahmed, member of the industrial zone division of Invest Bangladesh, signed the memorandum on behalf of the agency. Li Chongyang, chairman of China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation, signed on behalf of China.
Invest Bangladesh chairman Ashik Chowdhury and CRCC chairman Dai Hegen were present at the event.
The memorandum will create opportunities to expand investment and economic cooperation in various sectors including infrastructure, transport, logistics, industry, energy, the environment and skills development.
The prime minister exchanged views with the Chinese delegation at the signing ceremony.
The prime minister’s programme in Mongla also includes laying the foundation stone for the construction of two container jetties and related infrastructure under the port expansion and modernisation project.
Background
Bangladesh has signed a $335.78 million loan agreement with China’s Exim Bank for the expansion and modernisation of Mongla Port, under which two container terminals are to be built — The Daily Star Bangla reported this on 13 October.
According to that report, the loan carries an interest rate of 2 per cent and a term of 20 years, including a five-year grace period.
By the numbers
According to a bdnews24.com report of 2 February 2025, the cost of the ‘Expansion and Development of Mongla Port Facilities’ project was set at Tk 4,068 crore, of which Chinese financing accounts for Tk 3,592 crore.
Sources
Background sources: The Daily Star Bangla, 13 October 2026; bdnews24.com, 2 February 2025
