, Sept. 3 -- Prime Minister Tarique Rahman on Thursday said the government's mission is to transform Bangladesh into a manufacturing hub and a gateway to the region, with electronics, pharmaceuticals, light engineering and green industries driving the country's next phase of economic growth.

Speaking at the signing ceremony of a US$1 billion financing agreement with the Islamic Development Bank (IsDB) for the modernisation and expansion of Eastern Refinery Limited, he also said this deal is more than a financial transaction, calling it a "statement of confidence" in Bangladesh.

"Garments built our first growth story. Now we want electronics, pharmaceuticals, light engineering, and green industry to build the next one. We want factories ...