Bangladesh’s proposal for funding to modernise the Mongla Seaport is being seriously considered by China, but it wants operations management of the port, which has the potential to become an international shipping hub.
Beijing is waiting for a response on a proposed ‘integrated strategy to project implementation, operation, maintenance, and management,’ according to officials.
Bangladesh submitted a preliminary loan application to China in April 2019 for funding the project named ‘Expansion and modernisation of Mongla Port infrastructure.’ The project is expected to cost 350 million dollars.
“China had recently carried out evaluation of the project and is very much eager and positive about the project,” says one official concerned. Chinese authorities articulated interest in the integrated approach to construction, implementation, maintenance and management of the project.
Bangladesh highlighted importance of the port- modernisation project in a recent meeting with CIDCA officials, saying that the project will contribute to backing up the Bangladesh China India and Myanmar Economic Corridor (BCIM) on the sub-regional plane.
