Bangladesh Economic Zones Authority

The Bangladesh Economic Zones Authority or BEZA (Bengali: বাংলাদেশ অর্থনৈতিক অঞ্চল কর্তৃপক্ষ / বেজা) is an agency of the government of Bangladesh tasked with developing 100 new economic zones. It was create in 2010. Shaikh Yusuf Harun was appointed executive chairman of the authority in July 2021.

Bangladesh Economic Zones Authority (BEZA)
Agency overview
Formed2010 (2010)
JurisdictionGovernment of Bangladesh
HeadquartersPrime Minister’s Office, Old Sangshad Bhaban, Tejgaon, Dhaka
23.7681°N 90.3921°E / 23.7681; 90.3921
Agency executives
Parent agencyPrime Minister's Office
Websitebeza.gov.bd

History

The Bangladesh Economic Zones Act of 2010 created the Bangladesh Economic Zones Authority (BEZA) under the Prime Minister's Office. It was intended to accelerate economic growth by overseeing the development of 100 new economic zones by 2025. In contrast to the export processing zones operated by the Bangladesh Export Processing Zones Authority (BEPZA), which are publicly owned, the new zones were to be funded mainly by private capital and were to allow production for both export and domestic markets.[1][2] Financial incentives such as exemptions from various taxes and customs and excise duties were intended to lure investors.[2] The Prime Minister emphasized the attraction of labour-intensive industries. Finance Minister AMA Muhith's June 2015 projection was that the economic zones would create 10 million jobs.[3]

Mirsarai Economic Zone, later renamed Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Shilpa Nagar, is the largest economic zone, spread over 33,800 acres (13,700 ha) in Mirsharai, Sitakunda, and Sonagazi Upazilas.[4][5][6] Trial production began there at several factories in the first half of 2022.[7] By September 2023, five factories were in commercial production.[5]

Structure

BEZA consists of two boards: Governing Board, Executive Board.[8] the chairman of Governing Board is the Prime Minister and members include Governor of Bangladesh Bank, Finance Minister and other high-level ministers and elected policymakers.[9] The Governing Board is responsible for overall policy decisions.[9] Executive Board includes bureaucrats from Government of Bangladesh.[8]

Shaikh Yusuf Harun was appointed executive chairman of the authority in July 2021.[10]

Newly established and proposed economic zones

Recently Government has approved 37 new Economic zones, which consists governmental, non-governmental and Specialized Economic zone. Bangladesh government also announced 50pc tax relief in Hi-Tech parks, Economic Zones.[11]

  • Agailjhara Economic Zone, Barisal (Under construction)
  • Anowara (Gohira) Economic Zone, Chittagong (Under construction)
  • Anowara Economic Zone-2, Chittagong (Under construction)
  • Ashuganj Economic Zone (Under construction)
  • Bagerhat Economic Zone (Under construction)
  • Bhola Economic Zone (Under construction)
  • Cox's Bazar Free trade Zone (Maheskhali)(Under construction)
  • Dohar Economic Zone, Dhaka (Under construction)
  • Habiganj Economic Zone (Under construction)
  • Jaliardip Economic Zone, Teknaf-Cox's Bazar (Under construction)
  • Jamalpur Economic Zone (Approved)[12]
  • Kushtia Economic Zone (Under construction)
  • Maheskhali Economic Zone-1 (Under construction)
  • Maheskhali Economic Zone-2 (Under construction)
  • Maheskhali Economic Zone-3 (Under construction)
  • Manikganj Economic Zone (Under construction)
  • Mirsarai Economic Zone, Chittagong (Under construction)[12]
  • Narayangonj Economic Zone (Under construction)
  • Narayangonj Economic Zone-2 (Under construction)
  • Narshingdi Economic Zone (Under construction)
  • Natore Economic Zone (Under construction)
  • Nilphamari Economic Zone (Under construction)
  • Panchagar Economic Zone (Under construction)
  • Sabrang Special Economic Zone (Under construction)
  • Shariatpur Economic Zone (Under construction)
  • Shariatpur Economic Zone-2 (Under construction)
  • Sirajganj Economic Zone (Under construction)
  • Srihotto Economic Zone, Maulavibazar (Under construction)[12]
  • Sripur Economic Zone (Japanese Economic Zone), Gazipur (Under construction)

Non-government economic zones

Government also encouraged building of private economic zone. Some are under construction and some are operational.

  • A.K. Khan Economic Zone (operational)
  • Abdul Monem Economic Zone (operational)[12]
  • Abul Khair Economic Zone
  • Akij Economic Zone[12]
  • Aliance Economic Zone
  • Aman Economic Zone[12]
  • Anowar Economic Zone
  • Arisha Economic Zone[12]
  • Bashundhara Economic Zone[12]
  • Bay Economic Zone[12]
  • BGMEA Garments industrial park (operational)[12]
  • Chatak Economic Zone
  • City Economic Zone [12]
  • City Special Economic Zone
  • Cumilla Economic Zone (operational)[12]
  • East-Coast Group Economic Zone
  • East-West Special Economic Zone[12]
  • Famkam Economic Zone (Proposed)
  • Hamid Economic Zone
  • Hoshendi Economic Zone[12]
  • Karnaphuli Dry Dock Special Economic Zone [12]
  • Kazi Farms Economic Zone Ltd.
  • Kishoreganj Economic Zone (Under Construction)[12]
  • Meghna Economic Zone (Under Construction)[12]
  • Meghna Industrial Economic Zone (Under Construction)[12]
  • PowerPac Economic Zone (Mongla)
  • Sirajganj Economic Zone[12]
  • Sonargaon Economic Zone (operational)[13]
  • Standard Global Economic Zone[12]

Government to government economic zones
  • Chinese Economic and Industrial Zone (CEIZ)
  • Indian Economic Zone (Kushtia)
  • Indian Economic Zone (Mongla)
  • Japanese Economic Zone (Araihazar EZ)

Public private partnership (PPP) economic zones
  • Mirsarai EZ (1st phase): The Powerpac-East West –Gasmin JV is the developer for this zone
  • Mongla EZ : Mongla EZ is the first PPP EZ in Bangladesh. The developer of first PPP EZ are PowerPac-PPMKPPL JV

Science- and technology-based economic zones

Bangladesh government Establishing Science and technology based Economic zone to attract foreign FDI. Some projects like Kaliakoir high tech park helped by World bank and DFID.[14]

  • Barisal high tech park (land acquiring)
  • Chittagong high tech park (land acquiring)
  • CUET IT business incubator centre, Chittagong (under construction)
  • Dhaka high tech park (proposed)
  • Janata tower Software Park (completed)
  • Jashore Software Technology Park (operation)
  • Kaliakoir high tech park (block development ongoing)
  • Keranigonj Special IT Economic Zone, Dhaka (under construction)
  • Khulna high tech park (proposed)
  • Mohakhali IT Village (land acquiring)
  • Rajhshahi high tech park (land acquiring)
  • Rangpur high tech park (land acquiring)
  • Sylhet Electronic City (under construction)
  • Sylhet high tech park (Land acquiring)
  • United City IT Park Ltd

Tourism-based economic zones

See also

References
  1. "Bangladesh: Seizing the Opportunity" (PDF). World Bank. May 2019.
  2. Khan, Ashrafuzzaman; Lasslett, Kristian (2023). ""We Will Give Our Blood, but Not Our Land!"—Repertoires of Resistance and State-Organized Land-Grabbing at a Bangladeshi Tea Plantation". State Crime Journal. 12 (1): 68–95. doi:10.2307/48731139. ISSN 2046-6056.
  3. "Bangladesh to set up 100 economic zones to woo investment". bdnews24.com. 21 October 2015. Archived from the original on 21 October 2015. Retrieved 1 October 2016.
  4. Chakma, Jagaran (21 October 2019). "Mirsarai Economic Zone set to open next month". The Daily Star.
  5. Islam, Syful (18 September 2023). "Authority eyes investment influx in Mirsarai EZ as facilities readied". The Financial Express. Dhaka.
  6. "Marico Bangladesh goes into operation at Bangabandhu Shilpa Nagar". The Business Standard. 20 September 2023.
  7. "Bangabandhu Shilpa Nagar: 2 companies begin production, more to follow". The Business Standard. 23 August 2022.
  8. "BEZA MANAGEMENT". beza.gov.bd.
  9. "BEZA GOVERNING BOARD". beza.gov.bd.
  10. "About Executive Chairman". Bangladesh Economic Zones Authority. Retrieved 20 September 2021.
  11. "50pc tax relief in Hi-Tech parks, Economic Zones". Risingbd. Retrieved 1 December 2015.
  12. "PM opens, lays foundation stones of 24 economic zones". The Daily Star. 3 April 2019.
  13. "Sonargaon Economic Zone gets pre-qualification licence". Dhaka Tribune. 25 August 2016. Retrieved 1 October 2016.
  14. Hi-Tech Park Bangladesh. "Hi-Tech Park Authority". htpbd.org.bd. Archived from the original on 8 November 2015. Retrieved 1 December 2015.
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