Govt approves Tk4,189 crore Chinese Economic Zone project

The Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (Ecnec) has approved the Chinese Economic and Industrial Zone (CEIZ) project in Anwara, Chattogram, with a total cost of Tk4,189 crore. The approval comes just ahead of Prime Minister Tarique Rahman's upcoming visit to China.

The Chinese government will provide Tk2,467 crore as a loan for the implementation of the project. Aimed at boosting industrialization, employment, and foreign investment, the Anwara-based Chinese economic zone is now being viewed as one of the government's strategic projects.

The government expects that once implemented, the project will create at least 100,000 direct and indirect jobs. At the same time, it is expected to attract approximately $500 million in foreign investment. Chinese investments are anticipated in various manufacturing sectors, including textiles, pharmaceuticals, and light engineering.

The approval was granted at an Ecnec meeting held at the Secretariat today (16 June), chaired by Prime Minister Tarique Rahman.

According to sources from the Bangladesh Economic Zones Authority (BEZA), the Chinese Economic and Industrial Zone is being developed on approximately 800 acres of land in Anwara upazila of Chattogram under a government-to-government (G2G) initiative. Its proximity to the Karnaphuli Tunnel, Chattogram seaport, and Shah Amanat International Airport makes the location strategically highly significant. The government hopes this zone will become a major hub for Chinese investment in the future.

A memorandum of understanding (MoU) for establishing the zone was signed in 2014 between China's Ministry of Commerce and BEZA. Although land acquisition for the project was completed in 2016, the project remained stalled for years due to various complications.

Initially, China Harbour Engineering Company (CHEC) was considered as the developer. However, due to the failure to finalise an agreement, progress stalled. Later, in 2022, China Road and Bridge Corporation (CRBC) was appointed as the new developer upon nomination by the Chinese government. BEZA has stated that preparations for signing the developer agreement with CRBC are now in the final stage.

Under the project, various supporting infrastructures will be constructed for the economic zone. These include a 1,235-meter-long jetty link road and a 330-meter bridge, a 1,181-meter four-lane road, a central effluent treatment plant (CETP) with a capacity of 25 million liters, a multipurpose jetty capable of handling 20,000 deadweight tons, gas supply infrastructure, power substation, transmission lines, water reservoirs, and a boundary wall of approximately 12 kilometers.

BEZA sources confirmed that land acquisition for the project has been fully completed. Once the developer agreement is finalised, construction of the infrastructure can begin. BEZA Executive Chairman Ashik Chowdhury recently stated that significant progress has been made in discussions with the Chinese side, and both countries are treating the project as a priority initiative.