Dhaka, Oct. 22 -- Prime Minister Tarique Rahman on Thursday inspected Mongla Port, the Sundarbans and the site of a proposed economic zone in Bagerhat during a daylong visit to the southwestern region, raising hopes among local residents and businesspeople for fresh investment, infrastructure development and economic growth there.

He left Dhaka by helicopter around 9am and flew over parts of the Sundarbans, including Hiron Point, to observe the world's largest mangrove forest after reaching the southwestern part.

The helicopter later landed at the Nalian Secondary School ground in Dakop upazila of Khulna around 10:30am.

The Prime Minister then travelled by waterway to BNS Mongla, a Bangladesh Navy facility in Bagerhat, where he met Nav...