Prime Minister Tarique Rahman on Thursday said his government would move quickly to build the necessary infrastructure to ensure adequate supplies of electricity and gas to boost economic activities from Mongla to the country's northern region.

During an exchange of views with a high-level Chinese delegation, led by China Railway Construction Corporation (CRCC) Chairman Dai Hegen, in Mongla, Bagerhat, he also called for increased Chinese investment in Bangladesh, particularly in Mongla, to expand industrialisation and strengthen economic and infrastructure cooperation between the two countries.

The meeting was held following the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MoU) between Invest Bangladesh and the Chinese state-owned company on economic and infrastructure cooperation in the presence of the Prime Minister.

“Energy infrastructure will be developed from Mongla to the northern region of the country. Adequate supplies of electricity and gas are needed to boost economic activities in this region,” Prime Minister’s Deputy Press Secretary Jahidul Islam Rony quoted Tarique as saying.

Saying that Bangladesh and China wanted to work together, the Prime Minister urged Chinese investors to come forward to expand industrialisation and economic activities centring on Mongla.

He said mutual cooperation between the two countries would open up new opportunities for investment, industrialisation and infrastructure development.

Tarique Rahman also thanked the Chinese delegation for its cooperation in facilitating the recruitment of Bangladeshi workers by Chinese companies operating in the Middle East.

Describing the day as important and joyful for Bangladesh, he expressed gratitude to Chinese investors for coming forward to support the country's efforts to build a strong economic foundation.