Desk Report: Finance Minister A H Mahmood Ali today said that more than 200 companies have already been allocated land in 29 economic zones under the Bangladesh Economic Zone Authority (BEZA), with proposed investments amounting to approximately US$ 22.50 billion.

The finance minister said this while placing around Taka 7.97 lakh crore national budget for FY25 at Jatiya Sangsad here this afternoon. 

In his speech, Ali said the government is working towards the goal of establishing 100 economic zones through BEZA for planned and environment-friendly industrialization and attracting domestic and foreign investment. Among them, he said, 29 economic zones are under implementation. 

The finance minister also said that investment in private economic zones has been $5.5 billion. 

"Currently 43 enterprises have started production in all these economic zones and another 70 industrial enterprises are under construction," he said.

In this connection, he said Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Industrial City is being established on about 33 thousand acres of land in Mirsarai, Sitakunda of Chattogram and Sonagazi of Feni, which will be the largest industrial city in South and Southeast Asia. 

"With the objective of making the industrial city a self-sufficient one, all types of services will be ensured and activities will be initiated to build environment-friendly facilities," he added. 

He said the work of setting up Japan Economic Zone on 1,000 acres of land in Araihazar of Narayanganj, the first Indian Economic Zone on 857 acres of land in Mirsarai, Chattogram and the second one on 110 acres of land in Mongla, Bagerhat is in progress. 

Besides, he said, the process of setting up a Chinese Economic and Industrial Zone on about 800 acres of land in Anwara, Chattogram is in progress.

"There are plans to start development activities of proposed economic zones in Gopalganj, Kushtia, Satkhira, Chandpur and Pabna. 

All tourism parks under BEZA (Sabrang Tourism Park, Naf Tourism Park, Sonadia Eco Tourism Park) will be made tourist friendly," he added.

Biniyougbarta/SAM//