Two more economic zones in Narayanganj, Chittagong

The government is set to acquire and develop about 1,000 acres of land in Narayanganj and Chittagong at a cost of Tk 762 crore with the view to setting up two economic zones for foreign and local investors.

Of the lands, 491 acres will be acquired in Araihazar of Narayanganj and 500 acres in Mirersarai in Chittagong.

The project, which will be implemented by the Bangladesh Economic Zones Authority, got the approval from the Executive Committee of National Economic Council yesterday.

The government plans to set up about 100 special economic zones all over the country, Planning Minister AHM Mustafa Kamal told reporters after the meeting.

“This will stop wastage of agricultural lands,” he added.

Executive Chairman of BEZA Paban Chowdhury told The Daily Star that the government will develop the lands for now and will decide later who will set up industries in the zones.

The government has a master plan to build an industrial area on about 30,000 acres of land in Mirersarai, half of which will be on khas lands, according to Chowdhury.

Another BEZA official said Indian investors have asked for a dedicated economic zone in Mirersarai on about 1,000 acres of land.

Once the master plan is implemented India's request may be accommodated, the official added.

The government will also set up a special economic zone for Japanese investors, said a planning ministry official.

The Japanese investors have requested that their dedicated economic zone to be near Dhaka, so the one being developed in Narayanganj may be allocated to them, he added.