The China Economic and Industrial Zone (CEIZ) has been inaugurated in Anwara on the south bank of the Karnaphuli River in Chittagong. The activities of this economic zone were officially launched yesterday, Monday. This industrial zone, which will be built over an area of 800 acres at a cost of about 4,100 crore taka, has the potential to provide employment to about one lakh people. Already, 30 Chinese companies have expressed interest in investing here.
At the inauguration ceremony, Finance and Planning Minister Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury said that the government's top priority is investment, because investment will advance the economy and create employment. He said that foreign investment will play an important role in transforming Bangladesh into a one trillion dollar economy by 2034. The government is easing regulations to create an investment-friendly environment and called on Chinese investors to cooperate not only in investment, but also in technology transfer and skilled manpower development.
Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed said that Anwara is one of the most important multimodal hubs in the country due to its connectivity to the airport, seaport, Karnaphuli Tunnel and national highway. He assured domestic and foreign investors that the government will take necessary measures to ensure security and a stable investment environment at every stage of the project.
State Minister for Land and Chittagong Hill Tracts Affairs Barrister Mir Mohammad Helal Uddin said that this project will add a new dimension to Bangladesh-China economic cooperation. On the other hand, local MP Sarwar Jamal Nizam said that the industrial zone will create new opportunities for cooperation in various sectors including trade, technology and infrastructure. In his speech, President of Chittagong Chamber of Commerce Mohammad Amirul Haque said that the geographical location of Chittagong is very important for industrialization and there is an opportunity to build more economic zones in the region.
Speaking as a special guest, Chinese Ambassador to Bangladesh Yao Wen said that this China Economic and Industrial Zone in Chittagong is a flagship project of China-Bangladesh cooperation. The initial discussions in 2014, the signing of the relevant agreement during Chinese President Xi Jinping’s visit to Bangladesh in 2016, the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding in 2022, and the laying of the foundation stone today – all of this is a symbol of more than a decade of joint efforts and mutual trust. It is a shining testimony to the continuous progress of our two countries’ relations.
On the other hand, China Road and Bridge Corporation (CRBC) President Wang Benqian said that the new investment law has made Bangladesh more business-friendly and created a favorable environment for foreign entrepreneurs. CRBC Vice Chairman Li Changge said that the construction of the first phase of the manufacturing plant has begun and this industrial zone will become an important gateway for regional trade.
BEZA Executive Chairman Chowdhury Ashiq Mahmud Bin Harun said that if raw material production starts in the country, delivery time and production costs will be reduced, thus making Bangladesh’s export sector more competitive. He said that following the Prime Minister’s directive, the developer has promised to start production of the first factory in this zone within 18 months.
Members of Parliament Abu Sufian, Ershad Ullah, Hummam Quader Chowdhury, Shahjahan Chowdhury, Zahirul Islam, Chittagong District Council Administrator Mahbubur Rahman Shamim, senior government officials, leaders of various levels of BNP and its affiliated organizations, senior law enforcement officials and people related to domestic and foreign investment were present at the time.
After the ceremony, the sub-lease agreement signing, CEIZ slogan and one-stop service inauguration, foundation stone laying and tree plantation program were held. Senior government officials, members of Parliament, representatives of law enforcement agencies and people related to domestic and foreign investment were present at the time.
Comment Now