Bangladesh Economic Zone Authority (BEZA) is going to award a pre-qualification license to Maisha Group to set up an economic zone in Keraniganj today.It will be the seventh economic zone namely ‘Arisha Economic Zone’ to be built by a private sector.BEZA sources said that the Arisha Economic Zone will be developed on around 51 acres of land at Bosila of Keraniganj. Later, they have a plan to develop more 100 acres of land in the economic zones.Around 158 industrial plots would be available in the EZ where the EZ has set a target to receive investment only from foreign investors.BEZA sources said that several investors and companies from Russia, India, and Malaysia have already shown their interests to invest here.“It will be attractive for the foreign investors as the Arisha Economic Zone is the nearest economic zone from Dhaka,” said Abdul Quader Khan, Resettlement Specialist, Support to Capacity Building of Bangladesh Economic Zones Authority.BEZA said that the EZ has already invested $300 million in the EZ while they will invest $200 million in the zone.The project would consist of a container terminal with jetty, well equipped fire station and security arrangement. The project will also consist of a 5-star hotel with helipad and modern effluent treatment plant. In the meantime, 3 power plants each of which is 108MW are being constructed there.BEZA earlier awarded prequalification licenses to five private sector companies to set up six economic zones — one each to AK Khan and Company, Abdul Monem Ltd, Bay Group, Aman Group and two to Meghna Group.As part of government’s plan to establish 100 economic zones across the country, the BEZA is going to award the license to Maisha Group. BEZA Executive Chairman Paban Chowdhury is scheduled to handover the license to Maisha Group at his office today.Development of 10 economic zones, six private and four public, are going on. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina inaugurated those EZs on February 28.
