FT ONLINE

Abul Kalam Azad, Principal Coordinator for Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) Affairs in the Prime Minister's Office and Paban Chowdhury, Executive Chairman of the Bangladesh Economic Zones Authority (BEZA) have  visited ongoing some development projects   in Chittagong and inaugurated a programme under which two million saplings will be planted   recently.

They visited the construction site of Mirsarai Economic Zone  and inaugurated the programme of sapling plantation there, said a statement.

They saw the progress of land development works, part of which  is currently conducted  by China Harbour Engineering Company Ltd. (CHEC). The project consists of land development by dredging and filling and construction of 18.5 kilometer long coastal protection.

Mirsarai Economic Zone covers a total land of 30,000 acres and it is one of the most important projects  in  development of Bangladesh’s economic and industrial zones.

The next day, Abul Kalam Azad and Paban Chowdhury made a visit to China Economic Industrial Park, a  joint  ventute by the BEZA and CHEC. According to  plan, in  next ten years, Chinese enterprises including agricultural products processing, textile and garment, building materials, machinery manufacturing, chemical, electronic communication equipment and others will go into production. The Chinese Economic Zone is expected to attract about USD one billion foreign investment and create employment opportunities for 100,000 people, resulting in direct stimulation to the economy and further development of the surrounding regions.

On the following day, Abul Kalam Azad and Paban Chowdhury visited the Exclusive Sabrang Tourism Zone (ESTZ) and were briefed on progress of works there. The land development of ESTZ is currently being done by CHEC.  According to BEZA the ESTZ will attract private investors both from home and abroad to turn it into the most modern and international tourism zone in the country. The tourism zone is expected to help increase foreign  tourist flow to Bangladesh.