Projects with strong water and recycling practices get priority approval

Water sustainability now sits at the heart of investment and zone planning in Bangladesh. Projects with strong water management, recycling and circular economy practices get priority approval. In an interview with The Business Standard's Jahir Rayhan, Bida and Beza Executive Chairman Ashik Chowdhury highlighted Beza's efforts at the National Special Economic Zone to secure surface water, limit groundwater use, expand drainage and build climate-resilient infrastructure.

What initiatives has Bangladesh Economic Zones Authority (Beza) undertaken to solve the water crisis in the National Special Economic Zone?

The National Special Economic Zone (NSEZ), located in Bangladesh's coastal belt beside the Bay of Bengal, is a flagship project of Beza and has been conceptualised as a sustainable, climate-resilient, and green economic zone. 

Given its scale, coastal location, and long-term industrial growth trajectory, Beza proactively anticipated that ensuring reliable and environmentally responsible water supply could become a challenge in the future.

Accordingly, Beza conducted a comprehensive water availability and sustainability study, taking into account coastal hydrogeology, climate change impacts, salinity intrusion risks, industrial demand patterns, and ecological sensitivity. Based on the study findings, Beza has adopted a phased approach – short, mid, and long-term solutions – to ensure water security at NSEZ while safeguarding the environment.

Key initiatives undertaken include:

• Reducing dependency on groundwater through a strategic policy to protect the local aquifer and prevent depletion and salinity intrusion, which are critical concerns in coastal zones.

• Surface water sourcing through an ongoing project to supply 100 MLD of water from the Muhuri Reservoir, forming a core short- to mid-term solution for industrial and domestic use.

• Long-term water security planning through continued engagement with Chattogram WASA to explore sustainable regional water supply options.

• Industrial zoning discipline, whereby high water-intensive industries are discouraged, particularly in areas without natural or sustainable water sources, to avoid ecological stress.

• Integrated rainwater harvesting, embedded within the NSEZ master plan. Beza has already developed approximately 212 acres of man-made water bodies for rainwater storage, emergency use, fire safety, and climate adaptation.

• Water reuse and circularity, with plans to establish multiple Common Effluent Treatment Plants (CETPs) to enable treated water reuse. Procurement of a 48 MLD CETP is currently underway, designed in line with international buyer and environmental compliance requirements.

• Climate-resilient planning, ensuring that water management solutions are aligned with coastal realities, rising sea levels, and long-term sustainability goals.

Through these measures, Beza is positioning NSEZ not merely as an industrial hub, but as a model green economic zone that balances economic growth with environmental stewardship and climate resilience.

At the NSEZ, water sustainability is not an afterthought – it is central to our planning philosophy. Our objective is to develop NSEZ as a climate-resilient, green economic zone that supports industrial growth without compromising ecological balance.

Illustration: TBS

There are concerns that nearby areas may face waterlogging due to the development of the NSEZ. What initiatives has Beza taken to address this issue?

NSEZ's strategic location with hilly catchment areas upstream and tidal influence downstream. Due to this unique geographical setting and increasing climate variability, the area is naturally susceptible to surface runoff, tidal backflow, and extreme rainfall events.

Anticipating these challenges, Beza undertook comprehensive hydrological and drainage studies at the planning stage to ensure NSEZ is developed as a sustainable, climate-resilient, and green economic zone.

Based on the study findings, Beza's key initiatives include:

• Canal improvement and expansion: With the support of the Bangladesh Water Development Board (BWDB), six canals within and around the economic zone have already been widened and re-excavated to enhance drainage capacity and ensure smooth conveyance of runoff from the upstream hilly areas to downstream outlets toward the Bay of Bengal.

• Upgrading flood control infrastructure: The capacity of all existing sluice gates in the area has been significantly enhanced to efficiently discharge excess water during heavy rainfall and high-tide conditions.

• Climate-resilient drainage design: Under the PRIDE Project, being implemented in partnership with the World Bank, a comprehensive stormwater drainage network is currently under development at NSEZ. This network is designed to facilitate rapid and controlled water flow during heavy rainfall, thereby preventing waterlogging. For this project, 50-year historical rainfall data and back-calculation analyses have been conducted to accurately estimate peak runoff, rainfall intensity, and hydraulic requirements, ensuring long-term resilience against extreme weather events.

• Demonstrated resilience during extreme flooding: In the recent year, Feni and surrounding areas of Chattogram experienced record flooding, causing widespread damage. However, due to the coordinated initiatives of Beza and BWDB, the NSEZ area sustained minimal damage, demonstrating the effectiveness of the adopted drainage and flood management measures.

• Future-proofing measures: Despite these achievements, Beza has formally requested BWDB to undertake additional long-term projects to further strengthen drainage and flood management systems, considering climate change, sea-level rise, and increasing rainfall intensity.

Through these integrated interventions, Beza is ensuring that NSEZ development enhances regional resilience and protects both industrial assets and neighbouring communities.

NSEZ is being developed based on scientific evidence, long-term climate projections, and a clear understanding of coastal and upstream-downstream dynamics. 

Through initiatives such as the PRIDE Project, canal expansion, and enhanced sluice systems, Beza is ensuring that economic growth goes hand in hand with environmental protection and climate resilience – benefiting investors and local communities alike.

During investment facilitation and approval at Bida, how are water use, water efficiency, and environmental sustainability assessed? Are investors required to detail water sourcing, use, treatment, and recycling, particularly for projects in water-stressed regions?

Bida provides policy and regulatory support on water sustainability in line with investors' requirements. Whenever investors interested in economic zones, industrial parks, or eco-industrial parks approach Bida, the authority advises – and will continue to advise – them on sustainable water use. 

In addition, both domestic and foreign prospective investors are now viewing environmental issues with greater sensitivity and are providing the necessary support. At the investment facilitation stage, water use, water efficiency, and environmental sustainability are treated as important considerations.

When an investor submits an application, particularly for projects in economic zones, they are required to clearly specify the proposed type of industry along with detailed utility requirements. This includes projected water demand, sources of water, effluent characteristics, wastewater treatment plans, and related environmental inputs.

Each proposal is then evaluated through an internal assessment framework where sustainability parameters carry significant weight. Projects that demonstrate lower water intensity, adopt zero liquid discharge or high levels of water recycling, and follow the principles of Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle (3R) are rated more favourably than conventional industrial practices. In addition, compliance with Effluent Treatment Plant (ETP) and Common Effluent Treatment Plant (CETP) standards, in line with the guidelines of the Ministry of Environment.

Beyond the above, Bida also plays a proactive advisory role. Based on the specific needs of investors, we provide policy guidance on sustainable water use, particularly for investments in economic zones and environmentally sensitive or water-stressed regions. Investors engaging with Bida are consistently encouraged to adopt efficient water management technologies and environmentally responsible practices from the early stages of project planning.

It is also worth noting that both domestic and foreign investors are increasingly conscious of environmental sustainability and water stewardship. This growing awareness has led to stronger collaboration between investors and public institutions to ensure that industrial growth in Bangladesh remains aligned with sustainability practices.