Considering the suitable geographic location and infrastructural facilities, the government is eying establishment of more Economic Zones (EZ) in Cox’s Bazaar though it has already approved five economic zones there. BEZA sources said apart from the Sabrang Tourism Special Economic Zone, the pre-screening committee has approved another four EZs in different parts of Cox’s Bazaar district. The EZs are Jaliardweep EZ on 271 acres of land, Cox’s Bazaar Free Trade Zone on 8784.77 acres of land, Moheshkhali EZ-1 on 1438.52 acres of land, Moheshkhali EZ-2 on 827.31 acres of land and Moheshkhali EZ-3 on 676.58 acres of land. BEZA sources informed that considering the suitable location of Cox’s Bazaar and huge volume of open land at the district, the BEZA is planning to establish more EZs there. Considering suitable geographical location and proximity seaport and other infrastructural facilities, BEZA is planning to establish the five EZs in Cox’s Bazar, said Paban Chowdhury, Executive Chairman of BEZA. He also hoped that the EZs will draw the attention of foreign and local investors for their suitability. It was learnt that delegates of China and Japan have already visited few sites. According to information, the government has taken initiatives to establish a 1,200 megawatts (MW) coal-fired power plant in Matarabari in Moheshkhali and signed an agreement with Japan, Germany and Australia to implement it. As massive development work including, establishing deep-seaport and other infrastructural works, will be done in Cox’s Bazar, foreign and local investors will prefer investing at the EZ there, said Moloy Chowdhury, General Manager of BEZA, adding that as a result they are preferring more economic zones in Cox’s Bazaar. Mentionable, BEZA got approval of establishing a total of 22 economic zones in different parts of the country while the prescreening committee of BEZA has also approved another 14 EZs. The EZ includes Sripur in Gazipur, Sabrang Tourism SEZ in Cox’s Bazar, Anwara SEZ-2 in Chittagong, Dhaka IT SEZ at Keraniganj, Jamalpur, Narayanganj, Bhola, Ashuganj, Panchagar, Narsingdi, Manikganj, Kushtia, Barisal, Nilphamari, Private Economic Zone in Narsingdi, Abdul Monem Private Economic Zone in Munshiganj, private special economic zone in Munshiganj, Mirsarai Special Economic Zone, Anwara Economic Zone, Srihatta Economic Zone, Moulvibazar, Mongla Economic Zone, Dhaka Economic Zone, Habiganj Economic Zones, Shariatpur Jajira Economic Zone and Shariatpur Goshairhat Economic Zone. Of the approved 37 economic zones, six economic zones were given to private companies. The government is planning to set up a total of 100 special economic zones at the different parts of the country by the year 2030 with a view to catch more foreign investment and generating employment in a large scale. The economic zones will be set up on 75,000 acres of land under the supervision of Bangladesh Economic Zones Authority (BEZA).
