Chinese Economic Zone project to begin in Chattogram

The foundation stone of the Chinese Economic and Industrial Zone (CEIZ), one of Bangladesh’s largest foreign investment-backed industrial projects, will be laid in Anwara, Chattogram, on Monday.

Finance and Planning Minister Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury will inaugurate the project as the chief guest, while Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed will attend as the special guest. The ceremony will also be attended by the Chinese ambassador to Bangladesh, senior officials of China Road and Bridge Corporation (CRBC), the Bangladesh Economic Zones Authority (BEZA), local lawmakers, and other government representatives.

The programme will feature the signing of a sub-lease agreement, the launch of the CEIZ slogan, the opening of a one-stop service centre, the foundation stone laying, and a tree plantation drive.

The economic zone is being developed on around 783 acres on the eastern bank of the Karnaphuli River under a government-to-government initiative between Bangladesh and China.

Officials expect the project to attract at least $500 million in foreign direct investment, generate more than 100,000 direct and indirect jobs, boost export-oriented industries, and strengthen Chattogram’s position as a major industrial and logistics hub.

To support the project, the Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (ECNEC) recently approved a major infrastructure development scheme to be implemented by BEZA. The project includes roads, water and gas facilities, a central effluent treatment plant, a multipurpose jetty, a solid waste collection centre, a power substation, and other essential infrastructure.

The infrastructure project, scheduled for implementation between January 2027 and December 2031, will cost an estimated Tk 4,189 crore. The government will provide Tk 1,722 crore, while the remaining Tk 2,467 crore will come through foreign loans under the Export-Import Bank of China’s Preferential Buyers Credit (PBC) facility.

Located close to Chattogram Port and Shah Amanat International Airport, CEIZ is expected to improve Bangladesh’s industrial competitiveness and deepen economic cooperation between Bangladesh and China.