Interim Government to Establish First Free Trade Zone and Defense Industrial Zone in Bangladesh

For the first time in the country’s history, the interim government has decided to establish a Free Trade Zone and a Defense (Military) Industrial Zone in Bangladesh.

The information was disclosed on Monday afternoon at a press briefing held at the Foreign Service Academy in Dhaka by Chowdhury Ashik Bin Harun, Executive Chairman of the Bangladesh Investment Development Authority (BIDA).

He stated that a Free Trade Zone will be developed on 600 acres of land in Anwara, Chattogram, while a Defense Industrial Zone will be set up on 850 acres of land in Mirsharai. The decision was taken at the 4th meeting of the Governing Board of the Bangladesh Economic Zones Authority (BEZA), which was chaired by Professor Muhammad Yunus, Chief Adviser and Chairman of the BEZA Governing Board.

Speaking at the briefing, the BIDA Executive Chairman said that the proposed Indian Economic Zone in Mirsharai has been dropped, and instead, the area will now be developed as a Defense Industrial Zone.

Responding to a question, Chowdhury Ashik Bin Harun noted that countries with which Bangladesh currently maintains strong relations have expressed interest in these initiatives. He added that details would be disclosed once discussions reach a formal agreement stage.

He further informed that a policy-level decision has been taken to establish the Military Economic Zone within the National Special Economic Zone (NSEZ) located in Mirsharai, Chattogram.

The press briefing was also attended by Shafiqul Alam, Press Secretary to the Chief Adviser.