Work on a set of infrastructure development projects aimed at increasing the capacity of Mongla Port, the second largest seaport of the country, is likely to begin in the first quarter of this year, reports BSS.
Mongla Port Authority sources said a decision to this effect was made in December last while a technical team from China visited the port.
On Oct 14, 2017, Bangladesh and China signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to develop Mongla Port at a cost of around Tk 30 billion.
The MoU was signed in presence Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and Chinese President Xi Jinping.
The projects include construction of four jetties and two yards, a large multistoried garage for car parking, four lanes road, purchasing of 11 survey and tag boats and modern types of machinery for handling cargoes and containers.
The sources said the government of India earlier provided assistance of Tk 62.56 billion for the development of Mongla Port as a first-class seaport.
Mongla Port has already turned into a profitable and busy port with enhanced foreign ship anchoring, cargo handling and exports and imports in the last nine years.
Talking to BSS, Mongla Port Authority Chairman Commodore AKM Faruk Hasan said the capacity of the port will be enhanced manifold on completion of the projects.