By Al-Amin Shahriar

BHOLA, June 11, 2026 (BSS) - Prime Minister (PM) Tarique Rahman has unveiled 
an ambitious master plan aimed at utilizing Bhola's vast natural gas 
resources to drive economic transformation across the island district and the 
broader southern region of Bangladesh.

Moving away from previous governments' approaches, the new strategy focuses 
on using the district's gas reserves locally rather than transporting them 
elsewhere through the national grid. 

The plan includes the establishment of fertilizer factories, power plants, 
gas-based industries, a technical university, a Hilsa conservation center, 
and a comprehensive economic zone designed to stimulate regional development.

During the Deputy Commissioners' Conference held in Dhaka from May 3 to 6, 
Prime Minister Tarique Rahman emphasized the importance of harnessing Bhola's 
gas resources for local industrialization. 

According to decisions taken at the conference, the gas extracted in Bhola 
will be utilized within the district to support industrial growth and create 
employment opportunities throughout southern Bangladesh.

Information and Broadcasting Minister Zahir Uddin Swapon also highlighted the 
government's vision during a recent event in Dhaka. He stated that Bhola's 
natural gas reserves provide a unique opportunity to establish industries 
across the southern region.

"Energy infrastructure and security are the primary requirements for major 
investments," he said, adding, "Since the southern region possesses 
significant energy resources, it has enormous potential for economic 
transformation."

He further said that investors typically seek political stability and energy 
security before committing capital, both of which could position southern 
Bangladesh as an attractive investment destination.

Development experts believe that the successful implementation of Prime 
Minister's vision could significantly alter the economic landscape of 
southern Bangladesh.

According to data from the Bangladesh Petroleum Exploration and Production 
Company Limited (BAPEX), Bhola currently holds an estimated 1.75 trillion 
cubic feet (TCF) of natural gas reserves, with the possibility of additional 
discoveries. The Shahbazpur Gas Field, discovered in 1995, began production 
in 2009. Meanwhile, the Bhola North field, discovered in 2018, and the Ilisha 
field, discovered in 2023, have yet to begin commercial production.

The Ilisha gas field, located in South Charpata village near Bhola district 
town, is reportedly ready for extraction. However, production has not yet 
commenced because current gas output already exceeds local demand.

Domestic companies expanding investments

Several leading Bangladeshi companies have already begun investing in Bhola 
to capitalize on its gas resources. Over the past few years, firms including 
Sheltech, Kazi Group, Urmi Group, and RFL, along with numerous other 
companies, have acquired land and established industrial facilities in the 
district.

Sources indicate that these investments have already generated employment for 
approximately 2,500 people from Bhola and other districts. Additionally, 
around 50 more companies have acquired land with plans to establish new 
industrial ventures.

Foreign investors showing interest

The Bangladesh Economic Zones Authority (BEZA) announced on August 25 last 
year that a new private economic zone worth nearly US$1 billion is planned 
for Bhola.

The project, named Bhola Eco-Development Economic Zone, will be developed by 
Chinese firm Liz Fashion Industries. The proposed zone will focus on fish and 
meat processing, dairy production, and various agro-based industries.

According to BEZA, the economic zone will initially cover approximately 
102.46 acres in Bhola Sadar upazila, with future expansion plans extending 
the area to 158 acres. Around 40 industrial enterprises are expected to 
operate within the zone.

Officials estimate that once fully operational, the project could create 
employment opportunities for nearly 100,000 people.

The economic zone has already received preliminary approval from BEZA and is 
expected to secure final authorization after meeting regulatory requirements.

BEZA officials say the zone is being designed as an environmentally friendly, 
labor-intensive, and agro-based industrial hub. The authority's Executive 
Member (Planning and Development) Major General (Retd.) Md. Nazrul Islam 
described it as the first economic zone in the Barishal Division and a 
potentially significant catalyst for fisheries and agricultural industrial 
development.

Zhuang Laifeng, managing director of Bhola Eco-Development Economic Zone, 
said Chinese investors have shown strong interest in the project and 
expressed optimism about attracting substantial foreign investment by 
leveraging Bhola's gas resources and agricultural potential.

Local leaders optimistic

Barrister Andaleeve Rahman Partho, Member of Parliament (MP) from Bhola-1 and 
Chairman of the Bangladesh Jatiya Party (BJP), said that under Prime Minister 
Tarique Rahman's leadership, Bhola's gas resources would be used to spark an 
industrial revolution in southern Bangladesh.

Bhola has the potential to become a model economic region for coastal 
development, he added.

Golam Nabi Alamgir, president of the Bhola Chamber of Commerce and 
Administrator of the District Council, said that transporting gas from Bhola 
through pipelines or other means is expensive. Establishing industries within 
the district would allow businesses to use gas more efficiently and 
economically.

He also pointed out that products manufactured in Bhola could easily be 
shipped through nearby river routes to Payra and Chattogram ports, creating a 
favorable environment for domestic and foreign investors.

Bhola Deputy Commissioner Dr. Shamim Rahman echoed these views, stating that 
the Prime Minister had instructed relevant ministries to explore the 
possibility of building industries and fertilizer plants in Bhola using 
locally produced gas.

He emphasized that the district possesses ample land for industrial 
development and that new factories would help reduce unemployment across 
Bhola and the wider southern region.

"If these plans are implemented successfully, resource-rich Bhola will 
advance significantly in development indicators and emerge as a key economic 
growth center for southern Bangladesh," he added.