The Government of Bangladesh is establishing 100 Economic Zones (EZs) to create 10 million jobs and to generate an additional US$ 40 billion worth of export earnings by 2030. The Bangladesh Economic Zones Authority (BEZA) is working to develop these zones on an estimated 30,000 ha of land across the country. In addition to zone development, functions of BEZA include the creation of opportunities for employment through the establishment of backward linkage industries. BEZA confirmed an investment of US$ 29 billion in 2021. 14 industrial factories are in the works in five economic zones including the Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Shilpa Nagar, the country’s largest Industrial Zone that has been opened in October 2022. The 14 factories are expected to draw an investment of US$1.2 billion, of which US$ 875.8 million has already been invested. The EZs are extremely attractive hubs for both local and foreign investment as they are compliant with globally recognized environmental and social standards and offer a spectrum of lucrative economic incentives.
Session objectives
This session on Economic Zones thus aims to:
- Highlight the investment opportunities, particularly in the areas focusing on economic zones development, operations, zones infrastructure and services, and locating businesses in zones
- Highlight the necessary policy and market actions to realize the potential.
- Highlight the development in infrastructure and the national priority in infrastructure space.
Watch Live: Investing in Economic Zones Progress and Priority Opportunities in Bangladesh
