Bangladesh, China Sign MoU to Strengthen Economic and Infrastructure Ties

Bangladesh and China on Thursday signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to strengthen economic and infrastructure cooperation, with Prime Minister Tarique Rahman present at the signing ceremony in Mongla, Bagerhat. The agreement is expected to pave the way for increased investment and stronger economic ties across several sectors.

Invest Bangladesh and China Railway Construction Corporation (CRCC) signed the agreement at Mongla Port this morning, Prime Minister’s Deputy Press Secretary Jahidul Islam Rony said. He noted that the MoU would create opportunities to expand investment and cooperation in infrastructure, transport, logistics, industry, energy, environmental protection and skills development.

Invest Bangladesh Member (Industrial Zone) Saleh Ahmed and Li Chongyang, Chairman of China Engineering Construction Corporation, a subsidiary of CRCC, signed the agreement on behalf of their respective organisations.

Road Transport and Bridges, Railways and Shipping Minister Shaikh Rabiul Alam, Invest Bangladesh Chairman Ashik Chowdhury and CRCC Chairman Dai Hegen attended the ceremony.

Under the agreement, both sides will explore investment opportunities and strengthen collaboration in priority areas, including energy, industrial development, environmentally sustainable infrastructure, transportation, logistics and human resource development. Invest Bangladesh will facilitate connections between potential investors and relevant public and private sector stakeholders while coordinating their engagement.

Following the signing ceremony, the Prime Minister held an exchange of views with members of the Chinese delegation.

During his visit to Mongla, Tarique Rahman is also scheduled to lay the foundation stones for two container jetties and associated infrastructure under the port's expansion and modernisation project.

After completing his engagements in Mongla, the Prime Minister will travel by road to Bagerhat town to visit the shrine of Hazrat Khan Jahan Ali (R).

He is scheduled to depart for Khulna at 1:15pm and make a brief stop at the Khulna Circuit House at 2:15pm.

In Khulna, he will attend the opening ceremony of the second season of Notun Kuri Sports at Khulna District Stadium at 3pm.

The Prime Minister is scheduled to return to Dhaka by helicopter at 4:30pm, arriving at Tejgaon Airport at 5:15pm.

Earlier, Tarique Rahman departed from the old Tejgaon Airport in Dhaka by helicopter at 9:15am and landed at Mongla Port's helipad at 9:50am.

Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Md Asaduzzaman, State Minister for Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Aninda Islam Amit, State Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change Shaikh Faridul Islam, State Minister for Shipping and Bridges Md Razib Ahsan, Khulna-5 MP Ali Asgar Lobi and Khulna-4 MP SK Azizul Bari Helal welcomed him upon his arrival.