Dhaka Bureau: Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina will inaugurate 50 industrial plants, projects and other infrastructure in the Economic Zone (EZ) on November 20 on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of independence.
Bangladesh Economic Zones Authority (BEZA) Executive Chairman Sheikh Yusuf Haroon said that Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina will virtually inaugurate 50 industrial factories, projects and facilities in 8 different economic zones and BEZAs of the country.
These include – 4 commercial factories in Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Shilpa Nagar (BSMSN) in Chittagong and 8 factories in various economic zones run by private enterprises.
He also said that 967.73 million US dollars have already been invested in these factories and about 331.27 million US dollars will be invested. The Prime Minister will also lay the foundation stones of 29 industrial plants in various economic zones, in which 610 million USD has been invested so far and another 1922.39 million USD is in the process of investment.
The EZ facilities to be inaugurated include – BSMSN Administrative Building, Jamalpur Economic Zone, Srihatt Economic Zone and Sabrang Tourism Park.
Beja Pradhan said, besides, the Prime Minister will officially inaugurate the 20-km-long Sheikh Hasina Sarani, 230-KVA gridline and substation at BSMSN. Lay foundation stone of a water treatment plant, capable of purifying 50 million liters of water per day.
Out of the factories that will be inaugurated, four factories are located in Bangabandhu Shilpa Nagar. One of them is Macdonald Steel Industries Ltd. It will produce prefabricated structural steel. This steel is used in multi-storied buildings, factories and power plants.
Nippon & Macdonald Steel Industries Limited will produce MS plate from imported steel, purlin, slitting sheet and coil.
Asian Payts Bangladesh Limited has invested USD 34 million in this economic zone. Asian Paints Bangladesh Limited will manufacture paints and emulsions (chemical compounds mixed with different liquids).
Samuda Construction Limited is constructing their factory spread over four acres of land. Their investment in the economic zone is 8.2 million US dollars.
Beja will develop economic zones in all backward and potential areas of Bangladesh with the objective of rapid economic development through diversification of industries, production and exports.
Out of the planned 100 economic zones, the government has so far approved 97 economic zones. Of these, 28 are currently in operation. So far 12 private economic zones have been licensed and about US$ 4 billion has been invested in these economic zones.
Direct and indirect employment of 1 crore people is the objective of the economic zones. In addition, these economic zones will produce and export products worth USD 40 billion annually. Investors in the economic zone will enjoy tax holidays and duty-free import of raw materials and machinery.
The economic zones have attracted foreign direct investment from countries including Japan, China, India, Australia, Netherlands, Germany, America, Britain, Singapore, South Korea and Norway.
Earlier, it was supposed to be inaugurated on October 26. But it got delayed due to Cyclone Sitrang.
Source: BSS
