INDEPENDENCE DAY ECONOMIC ZONES OF BANGLADESH The safe destination of your investment

Establishing of economic zones in Bangladesh is a historic initiative of the present government. Prime Minister of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh Sheikh Hasina has taken this commendable initiative for materialising the dream of the Father of the Nation of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman to create ‘Sonar Bangla’. Charter for Change, the election manifesto of the present government in 2008 proclaimed the Vision 2021, among others, the important one is to achieve middle income status by 2021 coinciding with the 50th anniversary of the independence. The Vision 2021 is nothing but the resurrection of the dream Sonar Bangla.

Bangladesh has demonstrated strong economic fundamentals with a consistent GDP growth rate of over 6 percent over the last seven years. The projected GDP growth rate is 7 per cent in 2015- 16 and this will continue to grow in the years ahead. Out of 58 countries with a population of at least 20 million each, only 17, including Bangladesh, China, India and Sri Lanka, achieved an average GDP growth of six percent and more shows the World Bank’s analysis of growth performance of countries in a decade till 2014. Bangladesh graduated to a lower middle income nation from a low income one. Bangladesh’s per capita income now stands at US$1,314. And the government aims to treble it to over US$4,000 by 2021. Over the last seven years, Bangladesh has set an example to the world by showing them how development and high inclusive growth is possible even in the face of natural and manmade heavy odds.

Bangladesh is striving hard to reach the milestone of middleincome status by 2021. The country needs foreign investment both money and technology, it would be achievable only if we have been able to create hassle-free environment for the investors in setting up industries and running their business. The essence is to reduce the cost of doing business in Bangladesh if we want to reach the middle-income country status.

In order to become a middle income country, Bangladesh Government established Bangladesh Economic Zones Authority (BEZA) through the promulgation of Bangladesh Economic Zones Act, 2010. The Prime Minister instructed all concerned to strike a fine balance between protecting the environment and ensuring the development. Keeping this in view, all development works have been going on in the Economic Zones at a rapid pace without hampering the environment.

BEZA is committed to provide serviced land to the investors with all infrastructural and utility facilities. At this moment we are work- ing with 59 economic zones out of which eight are private economic zones. The land area covered by the 59 economic zones is 42000 acres. We have been working to establish two economic zones for the Japanese investors, one economic zone for the Chinese investors and two economic zones for the Indian investors on G to G basis. BEZA’s vision is to become a sustainable development driving force and a world class investment promoters and service provider to ensure quality of life of the people. Its mission is to persistently create value for the investors by establishing attractive investment facilities in the economic zones through One Stop Service and competitive incentive packages. Its core values are customer satisfaction, team working, free flow of information, participation and involvement, never stop learning, networking and effective Public Private Partnership.