CHATTOGRAM, Jun 17: More than a decade after Bangladesh and China first agreed to establish a dedicated industrial zone in the port city, the long-delayed Chinese Economic and Industrial Zone (CEIZ) in Anwara has finally moved closer to implementation following a series of government approvals.
The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs on Wednesday gave in-principle approval for a development agreement and a land lease agreement with Bangladesh CEIZ Company Ltd, a special-purpose company formed to establish the Chinese Economic and Industrial Zone in Anwara upazila of Chattogram.
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The approval came just days after the Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (ECNEC) cleared the Tk 4,189 crore project, marking a significant step towards expanding the country's export-oriented industrial infrastructure.
Speaking to reporters after the meeting, Cabinet Secretary Nasimul Gani said the initiative is aimed at accelerating economic growth, expanding international trade, attracting foreign investment and boosting port-based economic activities.
The economic zone is being developed on nearly 800 acres under a government-to-government arrangement between Bangladesh and China. Although the two countries reached an understanding on the project in 2014 and its foundation stone was laid in 2016 during the visit of Chinese President Xi Jinping to Dhaka, progress remained stalled for years because of complications involving developer selection, financing arrangements and administrative procedures.
Initially, China Harbour Engineering Company Limited was expected to develop the project. However, failure to finalise an agreement led to prolonged delays. In 2022, the Chinese government nominated China Road and Bridge Corporation (CRBC) as the new developer, helping revive the project.
Officials said the preparation and approval of the development project proposal also took considerable time. While the Bangladesh Economic Zones Authority (BEZA) is responsible for off-site infrastructure, including roads, gas, electricity and water connections, the developer will undertake internal development works. Coordination challenges between the two components slowed implementation.
With ECNEC approval now secured and key agreements set to be signed, officials said infrastructure construction can begin as land acquisition for the project has already been completed.
Under the project, a wide range of infrastructure will be developed, including a multipurpose jetty with a capacity of 20,000 deadweight tonnes, a jetty access road and bridge, four-lane roads, power substations and transmission lines, gas supply facilities, water reservoirs and a central effluent treatment plant with a capacity of 25 million litres.
The project will also include a 1,235-metre jetty link road, a 330-metre bridge and a 12-kilometre boundary wall.
Of the total project cost, Tk 1,722 crore will be provided by the government, while Tk 2,467 crore will come through China's Preferential Buyer's Credit facility.
Officials hope the project will attract around Tk 61,000 crore in investment after implementation and create at least 100,000 direct and indirect jobs. The zone is expected to draw foreign investment, particularly in textiles, pharmaceuticals and light engineering industries.
