The government has approved a Tk4,189 crore project to develop supporting infrastructure for the Chinese Economic and Industrial Zone (CEIZ) in Chattogram’s Anwara upazila, in a move expected to boost foreign investment, industrial diversification and export-oriented manufacturing.
The approval came on Tuesday at a meeting of the Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (ECNEC) held at the secretariat chaired by Prime Minister Tarique Rahman.
While approving the scheme, the Prime Minister has directed the authorities to strengthen environmental safeguards and ensure sustainable development within the industrial zone, State Minister for Planning Zonayed Abdur Rahim Saki told the media at a press conference later.
“The Prime Minister instructed project officials to establish a comprehensive waste management system, install advanced effluent treatment facilities capable of recycling treated water, and address any environmental shortcomings before implementation begins,” he said.;
Tarique Rahman also made the integration of renewable energy mandatory, directing that solar power facilities be incorporated across the industrial zone to promote clean energy use and reduce environmental impacts.
“The project has been approved subject to the incorporation of these environmental and sustainability measures during implementation,” Saki added.
The project, to be implemented by the Bangladesh Economic Zones Authority (BEZA) under a government-to-government arrangement with China, will receive Tk2,467 crore in Chinese loan assistance, while the remaining funds will be provided by the government.
Officials said the 800-acre economic zone is expected to attract around US$500 million in investment and create nearly 100,000 direct and indirect jobs, particularly in the textiles, pharmaceuticals and light engineering sectors.
Located in Anwara, the zone enjoys strategic connectivity due to its proximity to the Karnaphuli Tunnel, Chattogram Port and Shah Amanat International Airport, making it one of the country’s most significant industrial development initiatives.
The project includes construction of key infrastructure facilities such as a 1,235-metre jetty link road, a 330-metre bridge, a four-lane road network, a multipurpose jetty, gas and power supply systems, water reservoirs and a 12-kilometre boundary wall. It also предусматривает establishment of a central effluent treatment plant (CETP) with a daily treatment capacity of 25 million litres.
BEZA officials said land acquisition for the project has already been completed and preparations are underway to finalise a developer agreement with China’s CRBC, after which construction work will commence.
The government views the project as a strategic initiative to deepen economic cooperation with China while expanding Bangladesh’s industrial base and export capacity.