The foreign investors are eying extensively to invest at the proposed economic zones (EZs) in Bangladesh, showing a ray of hope of huge foreign direct investment in the country. Japanese investors are now eying widely to invest in establishing economic zones in Bangladesh. The country, though primarily approached for establishing only single economic zone, is now interested to establish three more economic zones in Bangladesh, according to BEZA sources. JICA on behalf of the government of Japan has primarily working to establish economic zones in Sreepur, Gazipur, Narayanganj and Narsinghdi, it was learnt. The interest of the Japanese investors was revealed at a seminar titled Programme for Capacity Enhancement of BEZA held at BEZA office in the capital on Thursday. A Japanese delegation member participated at the event said that the Japanese investors are interested to invest in Bangladesh like that in Viet Nam where they are doing business for several decades. The seminar participated by the consultants of renowned Japanese companies, JICA and BEZA officials was arranged by JICA as part of its agreement with BEZA in this regard. After the attention of the governments of Japan and China was drawn to establish economic zones under Bangladesh Economic Zones Authority (BEZA), neighboring India has joined in the queue to set up economic zone in Bangladesh. It was learnt that BEZA is interested to facilitate the Indian investors for establishing an economic zones here and India also showed its interest in this regard. Involvement of the foreign investors in the country’s economic zones will help Bangladesh fetch large amount of FDI that will ultimately generate employment for a large number of people, said Paban Chowdhury, Executive Chairman of BEZA. He informed the governments of Japan and China have come forward in establishing economic zones in Bangladesh while Indian investors have also expressed their interests to be involved in developing economic zones here. By the year 2030, a total of 100 special economic zones will be established which will help diversifying products, catching foreign direct investment up to desired level and enhance employment for the local people. Of the 100 zones, the government in the mean time has gave approval for establishing 22 economic zones. BEZA sources said that it has reached agreements with the governments of China and Japan on establishing economic zones in Bangladesh. It was learnt that China and Japan have already started assessing the feasibility on economic zones to find suitable locations. Meanwhile, Indian investors expressed interest to come forward to establish economic zone in Bangladesh. It was learnt that a non-government organization started assessing the feasibility on it. BEZA Executive Chairman said that they have started primary study by appointing a non-government organization. BEZA sources said that it was set to one economic zone to each of Japan and China. But later the demand for several economic zones has been raised by the governments of the respective countries. The government of China is now approaching to establish another economic zone for its state-owned company. Establishing an economic zone by India was disclosed at a seminar participated by BEZA and members of the India-Bangladesh Chamber of Commerce and Industry held recently, said Mohammad Ali, President of IBCCI. Lauding the initiatives, Ali said that the local investors can also invest here and the government of Bangladesh should come forward to facilitate the investors by providing infrastructural facilities. Paban Chowdhury said that Japan will come here with huge investment and it will be implemented within few years.
Source: https://www.daily-sun.com/print/business/2015/04/23/499479#sthash.fQ97u0tg.dpuf
