Khulna Hi-Tech Park project likely to create 3,000 jobs

KHULNA, July 10: Construction of the long-delayed Khulna Hi-Tech Park has resumed, raising hopes that the project will be completed by December next year and emerge as a major information technology hub in the country’s southwest region.

Officials concerned said the park, once operational, is expected to provide training to around 1,000 young men and women every year and create job opportunities for nearly 3,000 people.

The Hi-Tech Park is being constructed on about four acres of land in the Dada Match Factory area of Rupsha under the Bangladesh Hi-Tech Park Authority with the funding from the Government of India. 

The project, approved by the Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (ECNEC) on April 25, 2017, was initially estimated to cost Tk 170 crore and scheduled for implementation between July 2017 and June 2024. Although its tenure has already been extended twice, overall physical progress currently stands at around 45 per cent, while construction of the main seven-storey building has reached about 65 per cent.

Deputy Assistant Engineer of the Bangladesh Hi-Tech Park Authority Md Alauddin said that construction work remained suspended after August 5, 2024, but resumed on November 25 of the same year. “The project tenure expired on June 26 this year, and the process to extend it is now underway,” he said.

Project In-Charge of Confidence Group BM Hedayetul Islam said the project is being implemented under Indian company Larsen & Toubro (L&T), while Confidence Group is working as the sub-contractor.

Officials said L&T had completed about 36 per cent of the project before construction was halted in 2024. A delegation from the company later visited the project site in November and decided to resume the remaining work.

Chief Executive Officer of Airtech IT Shamim said many talented freelancers and IT professionals are currently working in Khulna despite limited office space and inadequate infrastructure. “Our business is expanding, but space constraints prevent us from recruiting more employees,” he also said. He hoped that the park would offer office facilities, start-up incubation support, training centres, high-speed internet, networking opportunities and access to investors.

When Contacted, Bangladesh Computer Council (BCC) Assistant Maintenance Engineer and Acting Regional Director in Khulna Md Nasir Uddin said that around 100 young people completed freelancing and digital marketing courses under BCC’s training programmes during the 2025-26 fiscal year, while many others received ICT-related training. “Many more youths are receiving training through private institutions every year,” adding that the Hi-Tech Park would help utilise their skills by creating employment opportunities and attracting investment.

Khulna Nagorik Samaj Member Secretary Advocate Md Babul Hawlader described the project as a timely initiative and said it would not only create employment but also help develop skilled human resources capable of competing in national and international technology markets.