Proposal for setting up 17 economic zones cleared

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UNB, Dhaka :
The government on Wednesday approved a proposal for setting up 17 economic zones, including three private ones, in the country to attract both local and foreign investments to boost the country’s economy.
The decision was taken at the second meeting of the Governing Board of Bangladesh Economic Zone Authority (BEZA) held at the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) in the city with BEZA Governing Board Chairman and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in the chair.
The 17 approved economic zones are at Sreepur in Gazipur, Sabrang Tourism SEZ in Cox’s Bazar, Anwara SEZ-2 in Chittagong, Dhaka IT SEZ in Keraniganj, Jamalpur, Narayanganj, Bhola, Ashuganj, Panchagarh, Narsingdi, Manikganj, Kushtia, Barisal, Nilphamari, Private Economic Zone in Narsingdi, Abdul Monem Private Economic Zone in Munshiganj and another Private Special Economic Zone in Munshiganj.
Briefing reporters after the meeting, PM’s press secretary AKM Shameem Chowdhuri said the meeting also approved a special stimulus package for attracting both local and foreign investors.
Of the 17 economic zones, three are private economic zones and one each exclusively for Chinese and Japanese investors.
Besides, Sreepur Economic Zone will be dedicated to Japan as Japanese Economic Zone, while the one in Anwara of Chittagong to China as Chinese Economic & Industrial Zone (CEIZ).
The meeting was informed that some 100 economic zones will be set up in the country over the next 15 years, creating jobs for some one crore people and taking the export earnings from there to $ 40 billion a year.
At the meeting, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina directed the authorities concerned to ensure one-stop service for the investors on the same compound.
BEZA Executive Chairman Paban Chowdhury highlighted its overall activities at the meeting.
The government enacted the law for setting up BEZA in 2010 in line with the government’s bid to turn Bangladesh into a prosperous and developed country through implementing the Vision 2021, Perspective Plan, Sixth Five Year Plan and other plans for ensuring speedy industrialisation, creating massive employment opportunities, poverty alleviation and ensuring sustainable and balanced economic development.
Members of the Governing Board, including Finance Minister AMA Muhith, Industries Minister Amir Hossain Amu and Commerce Minister Tofail Ahmed, were among others, present.
Earlier Comptroller and Auditor General of Bangladesh Masud Ahmed submitted 23 audit and accounts reports to the Prime Minister.
PM’s Principal Secretary Md Abul Kalam Azad, PMO Secretary Suraiya Begum were present at that time.
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