BEZA to implement 5 economic zones, not 100

The Bangladesh Economic Zones Authority (BEZA) wants to successfully implement not 100, but 5 economic zones. The organization says that if these five economic zones are successfully implemented, it will create a positive perception among everyone. BEZA expects that 133 industries will be built in the 5 economic zones within two years, 5.5 billion US dollars will be invested and about 238,000 people will be employed.

BEZA Executive Chairman Ashiq Chowdhury said this at a 'Meet the Press' event held in Agargaon in the capital on Tuesday. At the event, he outlined some short-term and specific plans of BEZA within two years. Ashiq Chowdhury took over the responsibility of BEZA Executive Chairman after the fall of the Awami League government on August 5.

The previous Awami League government took the initiative to establish 100 economic zones in the country. However, in the last decade, no successful economic zones have been established except for a few private zones. In such a reality, the interim government has taken up a short-term and time-bound plan to establish 5 economic zones instead of 100 economic zones.

At the event, Ashiq Chowdhury said, "I believe that there will be no need to establish 100 economic zones in the country. If 10 zones are fully launched in the next 10 years for the development of Bangladesh, the purpose of the economic zones will be successful. However, I am not completely ruling out the establishment of 100 economic zones. It will be part of the long-term plan."

The executive chairman of BEZA announced plans to implement five economic zones in the next two years as part of the short-term priority plan. These are the National Special Economic Zone (NSEZ) in Mirsarai, Chittagong, Srihatta Economic Zone, Jamalpur Economic Zone, Maheshkhali Economic Zone and Japanese Special Economic Zone (SEZ).

Ashiq Chowdhury said that a time-bound plan has been taken to ensure infrastructure and other services in these five economic zones. He said that all the water, electricity, gas and connecting road works of Srihatta, Jamalpur and Japanese economic zones will be completed by this year. And the aforementioned works of Mirsarai NSEZ and Maheshkhali economic zone will be completed by 2026.

In addition, BEZA announced at the event that a 10-year time-bound plan will be taken for the Chinese Economic Zone, Sabrang Tourism Park, Chandpur Economic Zone, Kushtia Economic Zone and Kurigram Economic Zone. This means that the organization will work with these 10 economic zones as the highest priority in the next 10 years.

In addition, a time-bound plan and roadmap will be taken for private EZs, said Ashiq Chowdhury. He said that a time-bound plan will also be taken for determining the criteria for approval of private economic zones and providing various services to these zones.

Other plans

Ashiq Chowdhury said that after taking charge, he spoke to various stakeholders including investors. Investors have complained about the lack of proper access to various services including gas and water, lack of policy consistency, and corruption and quality of government services. Some initiatives have already been taken to resolve these problems. For example, the land allocation approval process has been brought directly under BEZA and a fully digital document process has been launched in BEZA.

There are abandoned jute mills or closed factories and lands in different parts of the country. Ashiq Chowdhury said that they are planning to bring some such places under BEZA and make them suitable for setting up industries. He said that these places have gas-electricity-water; communication system and local community. As a result, it will be easy to set up industries in such places. Some such initiatives can be seen within six months.

The head of the organization said that initiatives have been taken to take up solar power projects on unused land owned by Beza in various places. He said, "As part of this, we have started a feasibility study for a solar power project on vacant land in Mirsarai."

Ashiq Chowdhury said that the Korean EPZ (KEPZ) located in Anwara, Chittagong, has already been moved from the office of the Chief Advisor and brought under the control of BEZA.