PM Sheikh Hasina lays foundation of 10 economic zones

"I would like to urge local people to extend cooperation so that the investors could build the (economic) zones in a faster pace and 'beautiful atmosphere', and thus would help establish a hunger and poverty-free prosperous Bangladesh," she said.

With the setting up of economic zones, she said, the 'living standard' of the people would be further developed as those will generate employment, alleviate poverty and infuse dynamism into the economy.

The Prime Minister laid the foundation stones of 10 economic zones through videoconferencing from Bangabandhu International Conference Centre here on Sunday morning.

Industries Minister Amir Hossain Amu and Planning Minister AHM Mustafa Kamal addressed the function as the special guests, while Housing and Public Works Minister Engineer Mosharraf Hossain joined the videoconferencing from Mirsarai Economic Zone, Chittagong.

Prime Minister's Principal Secretary Md Abul Kalam Azad delivered the welcome address, while Bangladesh Economic Zones Authority Executive Chairman Paban Chowdhury spoke.

Managing Director of PowerPac Economic Zone Private Limited Ron Haq Sikder, Managing Director of Aman Economic Zone Md Rafiqul Islam, Managing Director of Bay Economic Zone Ziaur Rahman, Managing Director of Meghna Economic Zone (EZ) and Meghna Industrial EZ Mostofa Kamal, Managing Director of AK Khan Economic Zone Salahuddin Kasem Khan and Managing Director of Abdul Monem Economic Zone ASM Mainuddin Monem also spoke at the function.

Terming the present government as an 'investment and business-friendly' one, the Premier said her government wants to create an excellent atmosphere for investment.

"We don't want to do business, rather we want to create scope for the businesspeople as we want (rapid) development of the country."

Sheikh Hasina called upon local and foreign entrepreneurs to come forward to invest in the country's economic zones for (further) economic uplift of the country.

In this connection, she said the country would be developed further as many as entrepreneurs would come forward to invest in these economic zones. "It may happen through local and foreign partnership or public private partnership or government to government initiative," the PM said.

"We don't want to keep any stone unturned ... whatever scopes exist, we want to exploit all," she said.

Extending her sincere thanks to those who come forward to establish economic zones, the Premier assured that her government would provide all kinds of necessary support to all types of economic zones to turn Bangladesh into a higher middle income country by 2021.

Putting emphasis on setting up of the economic zones in a 'well-planned' and 'well-coordinated' manner, Sheikh Hasina said all will have to be careful so that such zones or mills and factories are not established here and there causing damage to the cultivable land.

Directives have been given to the authorities concerned to develop economic zones in a planned manner so that the people are not displaced from their homes and cultivable lands.

The Prime Minister also urged all concerned to give focus properly on the environment issue while setting up mills and factories in the economic zones.

"You will have to remain alert so that 'industry wastes' are not dumped in the river or farmlands ... you will have to set up ETP or STP, wherever which is necessary," she said.

Noting that her government is putting its adequate efforts to encourage the women entrepreneurs in investing in economic zones, Sheikh Hasina expressed frustration over 'poor response' from the females.

"I don't know what is the reason behind the poor response from the women entrepreneurs. But there would be special arrangements for them in the economic zones," she said.

Referring to the contribution of local people to establishing economic zones in different parts of the country, Sheikh Hasina requested the entrepreneurs concerned to make arrangements so that the children of the local people get employment in their mills and factories.

Pointing out her government's plan to set up 100 economic zones across the country for rapid industrialisation and generating employment, the Prime Minister urged the entrepreneurs to set up industries considering the demands of the products in the respective areas.

She said Bangladesh Economic Zone Authority (BEZA) has been established to set up 100 economic zones to attract more investment as well as to create employments for more than one crore people.

"Generating employment for a huge number of people could only be possible through setting up industries in the limited areas of lands," she said, adding economic zones are expected to contribute to the national economy of the country in terms of production, export and investment.

Spelling out government's steps for raising electricity and gas production, Sheikh Hasina mentioned that the country already achieved the power generation capacity of 14,000 megawatts.

"We have now set a target of producing 24,000 MW by 2021 and 60,000 MW by 2041," she said.

The Prime Minister said now over 76 percent people have been brought under electricity coverage and such facilities would reach every house in near future. "We want to make independence meaningful by reaching its benefits to every house," she said.

Sheikh Hasina later laid the foundation stones of the 10 economic zones by unveiling its plaques at the function at Bangabandhu International Conference Centre.

Out of the economic zones, Mirsarai Economic Zone in Chittagong, Srihattya Economic Zone in Moulvibazar, Mongla Economic Zone in Bagerhat and Subrang Tourist Park in Cox's Bazar are being developed under public-private sector initiative.

The remaining six economic zones being developed under private initiatives are located at Palash in Narshingdi; Boddarbazar at Sonargaon in Narayanganj; Konabari in Gazipur; Meghnaghat in Narayanganj; Choto Shilmandi at Sonargaon in Narayanganj and Gazaria in Munshiganj.