People from all walks of life here have been demanding to set up a Special Economic Zone (SEZ) in the district as early as possible. According to sources, the then Gaibandha sub-division under Rangpur district was turned into a district in 1984 during the Ershad regime but no mentionable development works were done here due to different reasons including a political one. In 2013, the government took a decision to set up an SEZ in every division of the country aiming at creating working opportunities among the people side by side with leading the regions towards desired development. As per the directives of the authorities concerned the district administration here selected an area covering 900 acres of land at Sakoa on Gaibandha-Palashbari Road of the district to set up the SEZ. After completing all sorts of formalities related to land and its map the district administration sent a proposal to the higher authority to set up the SEZ in the area of the district. But, the dream to set up the SEZ here has not been materialised so far due to unknown reasons. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in a mammoth public meeting at Kurigram on October 15 declared to establish an SEZ there to push forward the district towards development. Shahjada Anwarul Quadir, former president of Gaibandha Chamber of Commerce and Industry, said there is no alternative to setting up an SEZ in the district to take it ahead. As the number of unemployed educated youths is more than those of other neighbouring districts, the government should set up an SEZ here without delay to alleviate their unemployment problem through creating job opportunities for them, he added. Aminul Islam Golap, convener of Gaibandha Nagarik Committee, said it is very essential to set up an SEZ here as no mentionable development works were implemented here 41 years after the independence. However, the authorities concerned were urged to look into the matter seriously and take initiative to set up an SEZ in the district considering the greater interest of the district and its people.
