Bangladesh Economic Zones Authority (BEZA) will start development work at the sites of 10 economic zones, out of 46 approved ones, across the country at the end of February. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina is expected to lay the foundation stone of the economic zones on February 28, BEZA sources said. They said development work will start at the 10 economic zones and necessary land acquisition has already been completed. Of the 10 economic zones, four are public economic zones while six are private. BEZA executive chairman Paban Chowdhury said Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina is expected to lay the foundation stone of the economic zones. “Through video conferencing, the prime minister is likely to attend the foundation stone laying ceremony of the 10 economic zones,” he told daily sun. BEZA sources said the government-owned economic zones are Mirsarai Economic Zones in Chittagong, Shreehatta Economic Zone in Moulvibazar, Mongla Economic Zone in Bagerhat and Sabrang Tourism Special Zone in Cox’s Bazar while private economic zones are AK Khan Private Economic Zone in Narsingdi, Abdul Momen Economic Zone in Munshiganj, Meghna Industrial Economic Zone at Sonargaon in Narayanganj, Meghna Economic Zone at Sonargaon in Narayanganj, Aman Private Economic Zone in Narayanganj and Bay Economic Zone in Gazipur.Planned Mirsarai Economic Zone is the biggest economic zones on around 15,000 acres of land which will house sub-economic zones providing all sorts of facilities to investors.Sabrang Tourism Special Economic Zone in Cox’s Bazar on around 1,050 acres of land is the special economic zone which has been taken with a view to attracting more foreign direct investment in tourism sector and bringing more foreign tourists to explore the thriving sector. Besides, the government-owned Shreehatta Economic Zone in Moulvibazar has been planned on 354.99 acres of land and Mongla Economic Zone in Bagerhat is on 205 acres of land. BEZA executive chairman said they are wishing to finish the development work of Sabrang economic zone at the earliest time for boosting country’s tourism sector.The government is planning to set up a total of 100 special economic zones on 75,000 acres of land under the supervision of Bangladesh Economic Zones Authority (BEZA) in different parts of the country by the year 2030 with a view to catching more foreign investment and generating employment on a large scale. So far, 59 economic zones have been selected while the government approved 46 economic zones across the country.
