The new industrial zone will be set up on the unused land belonging to different ministries including the Industries Ministry The Industries Ministry is planning to set up a new industrial zone in the country’s northwest region, along with forming an authority that would work for ensuring better coordination and development of the existing industries. A source at the ministry said the proposed name of the new authority would be Bangladesh Industrial Development Authority (BIDA). Seeking anonymity, the official said the new authority would improve coordination among different government agencies and state-owned industries to prevent labour unrest, collapse of factories, fires, and unwanted incidents. Last week, an inter-ministerial meeting was held at the Prime Minister’s Office, presided by the premier’s Principal Secretary Abdul Kalam Azad, to discuss the arguments behind setting up another industrial zone in the country. Asked about the issue, Industries Secretary Mosharraf Hossain Bhuiyan told the Dhaka Tribune: “The proposal is now in an initial stage and it [zone] will be set up after a new law is enacted.” The proposal reportedly recommends that a variety of industries including agricultural services are set up in the new zone. The new zone would also have import and export industries, while the industries that are on the brink of being shut down would also be placed in the zone after they are modernised and new technology is introduced to ensure maximum production, according to the proposal. The new industrial zone will be set up on the unused land belonging to different ministries including the Industries Ministry, the proposal further recommends.
