Anwara Correspondent: Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has inaugurated and laid the foundation stones of 50 industries and infrastructures including the Karnaphuli Drydock Special Economic Zone.
Prime Minister inaugurated these virtually from Ganobhaban on Sunday (November 20) morning. Bangladesh Economic Zone Authority (BEZA) organized the event on the Golden Jubilee of Independence.
Deputy Minister of Education Mahibul Hasan Chowdhury Naufel, Anwara Upazila Chairman Touhidul Haque Chowdhury, Upazila Nirbahi Officer Sheikh Zobair Ahmed, Assistant Commissioner Bhumi Mohammad Abdullah Al Mumin, Managing Director of Karnafuli Drydock Special Economic Zone Engineer Rashidul Haque were present at the Karnaphuli drydock zone.
The Karnaphuli Drydock Special Economic Zone is located south of the river in Badalpura and Shah Mirpur mouzas. It was established by Karnaphuli Ship Builders, one of the largest companies in the country, on land allocated from Beja. The World Bank has given a loan of Tk 800 crore on soft terms for the construction cost of the drydock.
This drydock is 285 meters long and 56 meters wide. It is possible to build and repair ships of 100,000 tons at the dock. Another drydock is under construction at a cost of Tk 1,200 crore.
The construction of two jetties under the ‘Karnaphuli Drydock Special Economic Zone’ at Anwara on the south bank of Karnaphuli River has already been completed. Import cargo ships have started arriving at the jetty and regular load-unloading operations are underway, which is helping to reduce congestion and increase productivity of cargo ships at Chittagong Port. Foreign exchange is being saved due to reduction in waiting time of ships especially at outer anchorage.
At this jetty, two 170-meter long ships can gather together and 10 to 12 ships can unload and unload goods together, but they can unload 6,000 tons of goods per day and 180,000 tons of goods per month.
Under this economic zone, 20.98 acres of land will be leased in Bejara for the construction of two more jetties and container terminal.
