A decade later, Sabrang Tourism Park development stalls at just 10-15%

Infographic: TBS

Nearly a decade after the government launched the Sabrang Tourism Park project in Cox's Bazar's Teknaf to attract tourists and create thousands of jobs, only 10-15% of its infrastructure has been developed, leaving most investors unable to begin their planned projects.

Coastal erosion, infrastructure shortages and slow development have held back the initially planned 967-acre tourism park. While land development and allotment have progressed, permanent protective embankments, internal roads, drainage and utility services remain incomplete.

According to officials and stakeholders, the project has been held back over the past decade by bureaucratic hurdles in land acquisition, the coronavirus pandemic, inadequate development funding, and a generally lax approach.

The authorities say speeding up development is now a priority and hope the project can become operational within the next five to 10 years.

On Friday, Prime Minister's Principal Secretary ABM Abdus Sattar said only about 500 acres of the nearly 1,000 acres originally planned for the park remained, with the rest lost to the sea because necessary measures were not taken in time.

He said the government planned to develop the remaining area into a world-class tourism hub.
Sattar made the remarks while speaking to reporters after visiting different parts of the park and discussing ongoing development work, infrastructure and tourism facilities with officials.

Investors left waiting
According to Invest Bangladesh Authority data, 28 investors have proposed a combined investment of $377.71 million at Sabrang. Land lease agreements have been signed with 23 companies, while five others are awaiting agreements.

The Bangladesh Economic Zones Authority (Beza) initiated development of the park in 2016 and now operates under the Invest Bangladesh Authority.

So far, 111.49 acres have been allocated to investors for hotels, resorts, cottages, restaurants and other tourism facilities. Foreign investors from the Netherlands and Singapore have also taken land alongside Bangladeshi investors.

Lizard Sports BV of the Netherlands leased 0.66 acres for a proposed investment of $8.76 million, while Singapore-based Inter-Asia Group Pte Ltd leased 40 acres for a proposed $90 million investment.

But most investors have yet to start construction because essential infrastructure is still unavailable.

Several investors told TBS that their funds had remained tied up for years, while the sharp rise in the dollar exchange rate had significantly increased the cost of their remaining payments. Some said foreign investment partners had lost interest because of the prolonged delays.

One investor said payments had been made when the dollar was worth around Tk90, compared with Tk125-126 now. Investors have urged Invest Bangladesh to consider adjustments for the additional financial burden caused by the depreciation of the taka.

East West Travels and Tours Ltd, which signed a lease to establish a hotel with a proposed investment of $2.72 million, has also been waiting.

"The government should develop the tourism park in a coordinated manner and ensure the necessary infrastructure is put in place. We have been waiting for three years, but we have been unable to start construction because the required infrastructure has not yet been developed," said Mahamudul Hossain Suva, director of the company.

Infrastructure remains incomplete
Authorities said land development and earth-filling work had been completed, but overall infrastructure development remained only 10-15% complete.

The lack of internal roads, drainage, water supply, electricity and other utility services has prevented investors from proceeding with construction, officials said.

Eight to 10 investors have expressed interest in starting construction of temporary facilities within the next one to two years. Permanent infrastructure, however, depends on separate government projects.

A Development Project Proposal (DPP) has been prepared for a permanent protective embankment under the "Infrastructure Development of Sabrang Tourism Park" project. The DPP is now being processed at the Prime Minister's Office.

Officials said construction of the embankment could take about three years once approved, after which separate projects would be undertaken for other infrastructure facilities.

Invest Bangladesh member Nahian Rahman Rochi said, "The immediate priority is to complete the dyke; a DPP has been submitted. In parallel, we are revising the master plan with a strong focus on sustainability and eco-friendly aspects.

"This is a cross-agency effort, and with continued support from all stakeholders, we are hopeful that the project can become operational within the next five to 10 years."

Md Abdul Quader Khan, adviser to the Private Economic Zones Association of Bangladesh, said a sustainable protective embankment was essential to protect investment and infrastructure from natural disasters because of the park's coastal location.

He also urged the authorities to formally inform investors about the project's implementation plan and provide a clear timeline.