Chattogram Bureau :
The BEPZA Economic Zone in Mirsharai is at the centre of attraction for local and foreign investors due to its proximity to Chattogram port and other facilities.
Bangladesh Export Processing Zones Authority (Bepza) plans to set up 539 industrial plots on 1,150 acres of land at Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Shilpa Nagar in Mirsharai, Chattogram.
It has already prepared 140 plots for factories to be set up there. Meanwhile, 78 companies from home and abroad have applied for more than 250 plots. Of them, Japan alone has sought 50 plots.
The companies together have proposed to invest over $1.348 billion in the ninth economic zone set up by BEPZA.
“We have already allotted 66 plots. They will start infrastructure development later this year. We are verifying the rest of the applications,” Major General Md Nazrul Islam, Executive Chairman of BEPZA, told media recently.
“We are giving priority to companies from different sectors other than the readymade garment industry. We want to diversify our export products and will give allotments to competent companies after verifying their applications by next December,” he said.
Nazrul said Japanese businesses will invest in the production of field items, golf shafts and other products.
“We have formed a committee to review the Japanese proposal. But we will not be able to allot them 50 plots as there are a large number of investment proposals. We have a lot of demand for plots here,” he added.
Around $4.5 billion foreign investment proposals from a number of countries, such as China, Japan, South Korea, the UK, the US, Canada and Hong Kong alongside those from local companies have been received so far, he added.
The companies are keen to invest in the manufacture of backward linkage products in the garment industry, such as zippers, buttons, high-quality leather goods, chemical industry, non-RMG products such as bags, trolleys and outdoor tents.
BEPZA expects to complete the development of all 529 plots in the economic zone by 2023. It will generate employment for 5 lakh people.
The economic zone is expected to bring in $4.5bn in foreign investment and $3.23 billion in export earnings, sources said.
