Contribution of Uttara Export Processing Zone (EPZ) in creating jobs in Nilphamari and its adjacent areas has been marking a rise in recent years. In the year 2015-2016, the EPZ was able to employ a total of 7124 youths irrespective of male and female. Sources in the Bangladesh Export Processing Zones Authority (BEPZA) said in terms of creating jobs the Uttara EPZ is only next to the Karnafuli EPZ of Chittagong where 8306 persons were provided with employment during the 2015-16 fiscal year. The sources also said the size of foreign direct investment (FDI) in the EPZ was also notable as a total of USD 33.35 million was invested in Uttara EPZ during the period in the form FDI. The EPZ thus far has been able to rapidly change the fortune of many people in the region, which is traditionally known as the country’s poverty pocket where the intensity of labour in the traditional field of agriculture is very high. Observers said that the advancement of the EPZ would further contribute to the country’s Vision 2021. When contacted, Tanvir Hossain, General Manager of the Uttara EPZ, said more than 30000 workers are at present employed in the EPZ. He also said that 64 per cent of those employed in the EPZ are women. Enatur Rahim, a youth of Gomnati Union Parishad under Domar Upazila, said he remained unemployed for long since passing his secondary school certificate (SSC) examinations back in 2005. But, he said, this year he has been appointed in the Ventura Industries Ltd, an industrial unit of the Uttara EPZ. While narrating his success story, he said that he’s now happy to draw Tk 8000 every month as a worker. An elated Rahim also hoped that this opportunity would enable him to help his family financially as well as to build his own future.

The foundation stone of Chinese Special Economic and Industrial Zone (CSEIZ) and Karnaphuli River Tunnel are likely to be laid on October 14. Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and Chinese President Xi Jinping will lay the stone jointly on the day. The Chinese President Xi Jinping will arrive in Bangladesh on a two- day visit on October 14. The foundation laying will be held through video conferencing from the capital.China is financing the two mega projects involving Taka 36,000 crore.  Out of the amount, Taka 20,000 crore would be spent for building a tunnel under the River Karnaphuli, keeping Taka 16,000 crore for the Special Economic and Industrial Zone. The construction works of the two projects are expected to begin in 2017 and to be completed in 2020.Meanwhile, the Cabinet Purchase Committee has approved the consultant firms for consultancy of the construction of the Karnaphuli tunnel on September 7 last. The firm has been appointed at Taka 291 crore. The construction work of the 3.5 kilometre- long tunnel at a cost of Tk 8,446.64 crore would be completed within four years and a new township would be developed on the other side of the Karnaphuli River after the tunnel is built.Government purchase committee has approved the Chinese firm, China Communication Construction Company Ltd (CCCC) on December 23 in 2015 for construction of the tunnel.Besides, the Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (ECNEC) approved the much-hyped multilane road tunnel project under the Karnaphuli River involving Tk 8,446.64 crore on November 24 last.  The approval was given at the ECNEC meeting held at the NEC conference room with ECNEC Chairperson and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in the chair.Out of the total cost of Tk 8,446.64 crore, the government will provide Tk 3,647.20 crore while the rest Tk 4,799.44 crore will come from China as project assistance. The project is part of a plan to strengthen the role of Chittagong as the centre of communications system, develop the communications system of Dhaka-Chittagong-Cox’s Bazar national highway, create a link with the Asia Highway Network, improve the communications system on both sides of the Karnaphuli River, lessen the pressure of traffic over the two existing bridges, and build One City Two Town in light with Shanghai and Hong Kong.Bangladesh Bridges Authority under the Road Transport and Bridges Ministry will implement the project by June 2020.  Earlier in June last year, the Road Transport and Bridges Ministry signed a deal with a Chinese firm, China Communication Construction Company Ltd (CCCC), for the construction of a two-lane tunnel under the Karnaphuli River. The length of the proposed tunnel will be 3.40 kilometres with an approach road of 4.89 kilometres alongside 800 metres of bridges linking the main city, port and western side of the Karnaphuli along with the heavy industry-prone eastern side of the river. The tunnel is also considered essential because heavy siltation on the Karnaphuli River bed has been a main problem for proper functioning of Chittagong Port and also for building new bridges. The tunnel will also create scopes for establishing newer industries on the eastern side of the river.The tunnel could later be linked with the proposed Asian Highway Network, which is supposed to establish road communications with neighbouring Myanmar and India.Meanwhile, during the Bangladesh premier’s 2014 Beijing visit, the two countries signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on building the tunnel. The country’s first-ever tunnel is designed to make Chittagong into a One City Two Towns like Chinese mega city Shanghai.  The multilane tunnel route will pass through the river close to Navy College on one side and Korean Export Processing Zone (KEPZ) and Karnaphuli Fertiliser Company (KAFCO) on the other.  The tunnel will cut the road distance between Chittagong and Cox’s Bazar, apart from facilitating the heavy traffic on Dhaka-Chittagong Highway entering the port city to go to other parts of Chittagong division.The tunnel will also connect Chittagong Port and Anowara Upazila and is expected to ease the port city’s communication with Cox’s Bazar and particularly the traffic on two bridges over the Karnaphuli River.  Chinese Special Economic and Industrial Zone will be developed in Anowara upazila on 774 acres of land to meet the growing domestic and global demands for Bangladeshi products. On completion, the industrial park will accommodate around 371 industrial units.  BEZA already signed a MoU with a Chinese company for developing the CSEIZ at Anowara Upazila of the district.The proposed site of the zone is 39 kilometres from Chittagong port, 28 kilometres from Chittagong city and 46 kilometres from Shah Amanat International Airport.

Commerce Minister Tofail Ahmed today said export of Bangladeshi products to China is increasing at the rate of 25 percent. “The export volume would exceed $ 1 billion soon,” hoped the minister while speaking at a roundtable discussion. Economic Reporters’ Forum (ERF) organized the roundtable titled “Bangladesh-China Bilateral Trade and Investment: Potentialities and Challenges” at CIRDAP Auditorium. Mentioning that China has been allocated space at Special Economic Zone (SEZ), he said the SEZ would be the best place for investment for relocating the Chinese readymade garments. “Bangladesh would provide all kind of necessary cooperation for Chinese investment in the country,” added Tofail. Referring to different features of 7th Five Year Plan, the commerce minister said special initiatives, including cash incentive, have been taken to increase the number in export basket. Now, the total trade volume of Bangladesh and China is $ 11 billion while Bangladesh is exporting goods of nearly $ 1 billion. “The trade deficit would be narrowed soon,” expected the minister. CPD additional Research Director Dr Khandker Golam Moazzem made keynote presentation while ERF President Saif Ahmed Dilal chaired the roundtable. Former Industries Minister Dilip Barua, BNP Standing Committee Member Lt Gen (Retd) Mahbubur Rahman, PRI Vice Chairman Dr Sadik Ahmed, BIISS Chairman Munsi Foyez Ahmed and BFUJ President Manjurul Ahsan Bulbul, among others, spoke on the occasion. Dilip Barua emphasized the need for strengthening relations with China for economic development of Bangladesh. He hoped China would extend its cooperation for different mega projects in Banglades.

Bangladesh expects an announcement of US$40 billion in project assistance from China in the next five years during Chinese President Xi Jinping’s state visit to Dhaka, official sources said. Bangladesh government has already informed China Exim Bank, the state funding agency of Chinese government, of it while Economic Relations Division (ERD) and the bank have reached a consensus about funding to 21 local projects, ERD sources said. “We’ll be seeking $40 billion in project assistance from the Chinese government in the next five years. Of the potential assistance, we’re giving highest priority to funding for Chinese economic zone in Chittagong,” State Minister for Finance and Planning MA Mannan told reporters recently.   During Xi Jinping’s Dhaka visit on October 14-15, an MoU between the two governments regarding the funding is expected to be signed, official sources added. ERD officials said there will be scope for inclusion of some priority projects of the government in the funding list prior to the President’s visit as the government is still working on scrutinising priority projects in response to demands from different ministries. The ERD sent a list of 25 projects to China Exim Bank for funding and the bank primarily showed interest in 21 projects. Later, some ministries proposed some more projects. The Power Division alone sought $27.13 billion for its 22 power projects, according to official sources. Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) will finalise the list of priority projects and a decision came for seeking Chinese assistance for some priority projects in a recent meeting held at PMO, sources added. Bangladesh government has already allocated 700 acres of land for setting up the Chinese economic zone in Chittagong. Chinese government has assured Bangladesh of providing $280 million to the project, including $50 million in grants, ERD sources said. The government is proposing $1,603.2 million funding for Dhaka-Sylhet highway four-lane project, $2,856.5 million for building Sitakunda-Chittagong-Cox’s Bazar coastal road, $1,756 million for upgrading Akhaura-Sylhet meter gauge rail line to broad gauge line, $500 million for installation of single point mooring with double pipeline project and $500 million for surface water treatment plant project of Rajshahi WASA. Besides, $1,658.5 million is being sought for Padma bridge rail link (phase-1) project, $917.1 million for Padma bridge rail link (phase-2) project, $1.39 billion for constructing Dhaka-Ashulia expressway. Out of the power projects, $3.80 billion will be sought for two units of 1320MW power plant in Pyra, Patuakhali, $3.39 billion for 1200MW power plant in Cox’s Bazar and $1,573 million for 1320MW coal-based power plant of RPCL under BREB. ERD officials hope that assurance of financing for some of these projects may come during Jinping’s visit. Commercial contracts for some important projects may also be signed during the visit. Loan contract may be signed for development of national ICT infra-network for Bangladesh government phase-3, Karnaphuli river tunnel project, Chinese economic zone project, procuring six vessels from China and Dasherkandi water treatment plant project, they added.