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Khulna seeks to revive its industrial and port city legacy
Published : Wednesday, 14 October, 2026 at 8:22 PM
Observer Online Report
Khulna City Corporation (KCC) Administrator Nazrul Islam Manju has said the city must overcome unemployment, drug abuse and law and order challenges to restore its former status as a prosperous port and industrial hub.
“Khulna was once widely recognised across the country as a prosperous port and industrial city. People came here and settled permanently. We want to bring back that lost Khulna,” he said.
He made the remarks as the chief guest at a roundtable discussion titled “Industrialisation and Economic Development Strategy 2050 for Khulna Urban Region” at a hotel in Khulna on Wednesday.
The discussion was organised by consulting firm Accompanying Major Consultant (AMC) under the Climate Change Adapted Urban Development (CCAUD) Programme, Phase II, implemented under KCC supervision with financial support from the German government. Experts from various fields attended the meeting.
Praising the organisers for arranging the discussion, Manju said the city had embarked on a new journey and that the meeting would help determine priorities for its development.
He said one reason for Khulna’s relative lack of progress was that local leaders had limited access to national policy-making forums. As a result, the city needed special support from the central government. He urged local members of parliament to raise Khulna’s development priorities in the Jatiya Sangsad.
The roundtable discussed practical measures KCC could take within its jurisdiction and available resources to strengthen the urban economy by 2034 and address existing challenges.
Participants also discussed establishing a coordination mechanism involving KCC, the Khulna Development Authority (KDA), relevant government agencies, industries, financial institutions, universities and private investors.
They examined what practical initiatives KCC could launch or lead over the next two years, along with the decisions, partnerships and resources required, and the respective roles of the city corporation and central government.
The proposed strategy will guide Khulna’s development through 2050, taking current and future climate risks into account. It is expected to outline priority projects, institutional responsibilities, implementation timelines and estimated costs, as well as potential sources of funding.
KCC Chief Executive Officer Rajib Ahmed, Chief Engineer Moshiuzzaman Khan, Chief Planning Officer Abir Ul Jabbar, Khulna University Economics Department Professor Dr Nishad Nasrin, Amam Sea Foods Ltd Chairman Humayun Kabir, Sartaj Trade International Managing Director Badrul Alam Markin, Khulna Divisional Inland Water Transport Group President Syed Zahid Hossain, Pagmark Tours and Travels proprietor Nazrul Islam Bachchu, Bastukalpa Architects Ltd chief SM Nazimuddin Payel, Sundarban Academy Executive Director Professor Anwarul Kadir and SUJAN Khulna General Secretary Advocate Kudrat-e-Khuda were among those who shared their views.
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Editor : Iqbal Sobhan Chowdhury
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Published by the Editor on behalf of the Observer Ltd. from Globe Printers, 24/A, New Eskaton Road, Ramna, Dhaka.
Editorial, News and Commercial Offices : Aziz Bhaban (2nd floor), 93, Motijheel C/A, Dhaka-1000.
Phone: PABX- 41053001-06; Advertisement: 41053012; 01793317829, 01550707291, E-mail: [email protected], [email protected] Online: email: [email protected] 41053014; 01550707297 Advertisement: 01550707296
