Bida starts mapping industries to drive smarter regional growth

Highlights:

• Mapping to identify investment zones, improve infrastructure planning
• Data-driven framework to guide industrial policy, investment
• Industries to be matched with suitable regional locations
• Focus on agro-processing, manufacturing, export, tech sectors
• Initial database expected for investor access within six months

The Bangladesh Investment Development Authority (Bida) has undertaken an initiative to map industries by district and sector as part of efforts to bring the country's industrialisation under a region-based planning framework within the next six months.

The initiative aims to identify investment opportunities, improve infrastructure planning, and support data-driven policymaking.

Nahian Rahman Rochi, executive member and head of business development at Bida, told The Business Standard that the organisation has begun work on creating a comprehensive industrial mapping of the country.

"We have taken an initiative to carry out sectoral or industrial mapping across the entire country. Through this, we will determine which industries are most suitable for which regions," he said.

"Our target is to complete the work within the next six months. Through this mapping, we will also identify which sectors can be prioritised to develop industrial hubs in different regions, including northern Bangladesh."

Nahian added that the Maheshkhali Integrated Development Authority (Mida) is also planning to introduce several policy measures in the blue economy sector.

Officials involved in the initiative say the mapping exercise will help develop a region-based industrialisation strategy for Bangladesh.

The effort is expected to provide clear direction on which regions are most suitable for different types of industries – including agro-based manufacturing, heavy industries, export-oriented sectors and technology-driven businesses.

According to Bida sources, the mapping will integrate data on existing economic zones, export processing zones (EPZs), hi-tech parks, and potential new industrial areas.

This will help investors easily identify suitable sectors, available land, infrastructure facilities and policy incentives in specific regions.

The government has recently been placing greater emphasis on sector-specific investment strategies to attract foreign and domestic investment.

Alongside the ready-made garment sector, priority is being given to industries such as pharmaceuticals, leather, agro-processing, information technology and the blue economy.

Plans are also under consideration to introduce targeted policy support for blue economy activities, including deep-sea fishing, mariculture, and export-oriented marine processing industries.

At the same time, the government views improvements in infrastructure, port modernisation and a reliable energy supply as essential conditions for sustained industrialisation.

Bida officials said the industrial mapping project forms a key part of a 180-day action plan.

The plan was presented last month on 14 March to Prime Minister Tarique Rahman during a meeting by Bida Executive Chairman Ashik Chowdhury.

Within this timeframe, Bida aims to establish an initial framework and develop a usable database that investors can access to understand sectoral opportunities across different regions of the country.