Establishing special Economic zone in Rajshahi progressing

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Establishing special Economic zone in Rajshahi progressing

RAJSHAHI, May 28, 2018 (BSS) – A plan has been taken for setting up
specialized economic zone in Rajshahi for elevating economic condition and
eradicating unemployment problems through the best uses of existing
agricultural potentialities.

Aiming at establishing agro-based industries, the zone will be set up on
around 205 acres of land in Joykrishnapur, Maria, Balanagar, Bhobanipur and
Koira areas under Paba Upazila of the district. The private-owned lands will
be purchased in fair price.

Engineer Azharul Islam, Regional Director of Bangladesh Small and
Cottage Industries Corporation (BSCIC), said small and medium enterprizes
along with garments factories will be set up in the zone upon successful
completion of its necessary process by 2019.

Prime Minister’s office and Economic Zone Committee completed the site
selection process and district administration submitted the site selection
report to the ministry of land.

Muniruzzaman Moni, President of Rajshahi Chamber of Commerce and
Industry (RCCI), said the zone will generate massive employment scopes
besides attracting many investors towards establishing industries.

He said foreign investors will be encouraged here side by side with the
local ones. Many of the foreign ones have contacted with us in this regard.

RCCI has requested the authorities concerned to set up small engineering
and garments factories in the zone. “We have demanded 20 percent investment
scopes for the women entrepreneurs,” said Chamber leader Moni.

He mentioned that prospects of agro-processing enterprises is bright in
the region as it produces surplus crops especially food-grains, fruits and
vegetables.

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He focused on the agricultural potentials of the region with special
emphasis on value added agro-processing opportunities and agro-based
industries. It could add to the industrialization efforts of agro-based and
agro-processing industry in the region for a sustainable and well-formed
linkage of production, processing and marketing.

Moni described ‘value addition to agricultural products and agro-
processing’ as very much consistent with the government policy since due
emphasis are being given on agro-processing at present.

Muhammad Ali Sarker, Chairman of Zila Parishad, said the region has now
been fulfilling 52 percent of the country’s total food demand along with
supplying 76 percent raw-materials of the country’s agro-based industries.
“Unfortunately, there is not any big industrial unit here,” he said.

Potato flakes have great international demand and its production
technology is relatively simple and labour intensive. Besides, the region
alone produces 49 percent of the country’s total mango production and there
is an ample opportunity for establishment of mango-based industries here.

AHM Khairuzzaman Liton, former Mayor of Rajshahi City Corporation, said
economic zone is very important for bolstering economic condition of any
region along with improving its living and livelihood condition.

He says the present government of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina is very
much positive towards strengthening Rajshahi’s economic condition through
proper utilization of the existing potentialities.

He hoped that the new economic zone scheme will be implemented within a
shortest possible time.

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