BEZA to establish Gopalganj Economic Zone by 2024

Bangladesh Economic Zone Authority (BEZA) is undertaking a project to develop the southern region of the country and has taken up the plan to establish an economic zone in Kotalipara of Gopalganj.

It was recently decided in a Project Evaluation Meeting (PEC) of the Planning Commission that a Development Project Proposal (DPP) for this project would be reconstituted and sent to the commission.

After the inauguration of the Padma Bridge on June 25, the government is taking the first initiative to expand industry and trade in the southern region by launching the 'Gopalganj Economic Zone' development plan.

This economic zone will be established on about 200 acres of land in Gopalganj. BEZA has proposed the initial project with an estimated cost of Tk 484.777 crore for the development of this EZ.

This two-year project is planned to be implemented by December 2024. Pre-feasibility study on setting up this EZ has already been completed through the consulting firm Pricewaterhouse Coopers (PwC).

Already, the finance division has agreed to implement the project at a 1 per cent interest loan from the government, BEZA sources say.

At the meeting, BEZA executive member Md Ali Ahsan said that the proposed project is a priority project of the Prime Minister's Office. As a result, BEZA is keen on speedy implementation of the project.

“With the launch of the Padma Bridge, the potential of this economic zone has increased. The project will be economically profitable and investors will be interested in investing in the region,” the BEZA executive member said.

The BEZA has taken up a master plan involving Dhaka, Khulna and Barisal divisions. The organisation is taking steps to set up 17 new EZs in 21 districts of these three divisions. If this initiative is implemented, industrialisation in the southwestern part of the country will get a boost and employment will increase.