By AKM Kamal Uddin Chowdhury
DHAKA, June 26, 2023 (BSS) – Country’s Southwestern region is expected to become more popular for investment in future, thanks to the opening of Padma Bridge and the development of Mongla and Payra ports.
According to a survey of the Bangladesh Economic Zones Authority (BEZA), 92 per cent of the respondents expressed their willingness to procure land in the Economic Zones (EZs) for investment while Chattogram is their most preferred destination.
In future, the Khulna and Barishal regions are likely to be more popular for procuring land, the survey added.
Talking to BSS, BEZA Executive Chairman Shaikh Yusuf Harun said a zone plan was being prepared for setting up EZs across the country and making industrialisation purposeful and effective.
"Alongside, it's necessary to finalise a comprehensive National Master Plan (NMP) keeping economic corridors into consideration," he added.
Harun sought all stakeholders' active participation and cooperation in this regard.
Harun, however, said BEZA is expecting to expedite development of the planned industrial parks in the country's south-western region as investors are showing increased interest in the areas, thanks to enhanced connectivity established after opening of the Padma Bridge.
The stakeholders believe the EZs-currently at different stages of development from planning to construction - will give an impetus to the economic activities there through industrialisation and employment generation.
As per data available, 17 EZs will be established across the whole region, while implementation of Mongla EZ (MEZ) has already marked a significant progress with the construction works.
The MEZ is being developed on 205 acres of land in Bagerhat, near the Mongla port.
The BEZA completed construction of administrative building, boundary walls, link roads, 33 KVA substation, and water pipeline in the MEZ under Public Private Partnership (PPP) model in association with Powerpac Economic Zone as the developer.
Close to the MEZ, another EZ will be established on 105 acres of land dedicated for Indian investors on government-to-government (G2G) basis.
BEZA Executive Chairman Shaikh Yusuf Harun said the two under-construction EZs in Mongla will soon host industrial units.
"It is expected that the construction of factories in the two EZs will begin soon, creating employment opportunities for several thousand people and making a positive impact in the neighbourhood," he said, adding that the BEZA will gradually develop the other planned EZs.
The EZs will be established in Gopalganj, Khulna, Madaripur, Satkhira and Kushtia in phases, which altogether will play a pivotal role for overall development of the region, he added.
BEZA’s governing body has approved development of two EZs in Zajira and Gosairhat upazila of Shariatpur on 525 and 686 acres of land respectively.
There is a decision in principle to establish an EZ on 1,125 acres of land in Rajoir upazila of Madaripur, while another EZ in Faridpur will be set up on an estimated 888 acres of land.
The feasibility study of a 200-acre EZ in Gopalganj's Kotalipara upazila has been accomplished while its Development Project Proposal (DPP) is being prepared.
A move is also underway to conduct a feasibility study for establishing another EZ in Khulna's Botiaghata on 208 acres of land, while the governing body has decided to establish another EZ on 509 acres in Terokhada upazila of the same district.Data available with the BEZA also said Sripur upazila of Magura and Satkhira Sadar Upazila will accommodate two EZs on 205 and 206 acres of land respectively.
A feasibility study of Barishal's Agailjhara upazila has already been completed.
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina opened the much-anticipated 6.15 kilometer Padma Bridge for vehicular movement on June 25, 2022 which has brought a massive progress in road connectivity of 21 south and southwestern districts with capital Dhaka and other major cities.
