desk report||
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has inaugurated 10 new economic zones, which she believes will quicken Bangladesh’s economic growth.
She launched the zones at a programme held at the Bangabandhu International Conference Centre in Dhaka on Sunday through video conferencing.
Explaining the background to the establishment of the economic zones, Hasina said, “We decided not to allow industries to be set up at random. We wanted to ensure development across the country.”
The current Awami League government has taken an initiative to set up 100 economic zones to make Bangladesh a middle-income country by 2021 and a developed nation by 2041, she said.
The government hopes that by 2030, these economic zones will create employment opportunities for 10 million people and take the country’s export earnings to $40 billion.
Four of the 10 economic districts inaugurated on Sunday will be set up under Public-Private Partnership and the rest at private initiatives.
The zones are Mirsarai Economic Zone in Chittagong, Abdul Monem Economic Zone in Munshiganj; AK Khan Economic Zone in Narsinghdi; Bay Economic Zone in Gazipur; Meghna Economic Zone, Industrial Economic Zone and Aman Economic Zone in Narayanganj; Mongla Economic Zone in Bagerhat; Sabrang Economic Zone in Cox’s Bazar and Srihatta Economic Zone in Moulvibazar.
It was announced in the programme that Bangladesh Economic Zone Authority has already approved 46 new zones and selected sites for another 13.
Industries Minister Amir Hossain Amu and Planning Minister AHM Mustafa Kamal, among others, were present at the event.