DHAKA, June 17, 2026 (BSS) - The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) today approved a proposal for establishing the country's first Free Trade 
Zone (FTZ) in Anwara of Chattogram to enhance trade, investment and export competitiveness.

The approval came at a meeting of the CCEA held at Bangladesh secretariat in the city with Finance Minister Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury in the chair.

According to the Bangladesh Economic Zones Authority (BEZA), the proposed FTZ will be developed in Anwara on the bank of the Karnaphuli River following 
international standards and best practices.

To formulate the initiative, a high-level committee comprising representatives from 10 government agencies, including the Ministry of 
Commerce, Ministry of Industries, Finance Division, National Board of Revenue (NBR) and Ministry of Shipping reviewed FTZ management systems, legal 
frameworks, policy guidelines, incentive structures and operational models of different countries.

Based on the committee's recommendations, Anwara was selected as the most suitable location considering its infrastructure facilities, international 
trade connectivity, logistics capacity and future expansion potential.

Officials said the establishment of the FTZ is expected to open a new horizon in Bangladesh's international trade and supply chain management system. 

The initiative is also likely to play a significant role in attracting foreign direct investment, diversifying exports, creating employment 
opportunities and developing Bangladesh into an international logistics hub.

The BEZA Governing Board had earlier approved the proposal for setting up the FTZ at its ninth meeting held on January 26 this year.

The government has already initiated necessary reforms in laws and policies to facilitate the establishment of the FTZ.

Reviews and updates are underway for the Bangladesh Economic Zones Authority Act 2010, Customs Act 2023, Warehouse Licensing Rules 2024, Import Policy 
Order 2021-24, Export Policy Order 2024-27, Foreign Exchange Management Guidelines, National Industrial Policy 2022 and National Logistics Policy 
2024, among other relevant regulations.

Officials believe the country's first FTZ will mark a milestone in Bangladesh's economic transformation, strengthen its global trade 
connectivity and enhance regional competitiveness, helping position the country as a major trade and logistics centre in South and Southeast Asia.