Rangpur a candidate for economic zone

To keep pace with the development momentum, the government has rightly decided to establish 100 economic zones across the country. Economic zones provide investors with facilities and benefits for investing there. Industries founded in the zones can usually make good business and help the local community by providing job opportunities and creating scopes for various activities that increase purchasing power of the people. All this would certainly add value to the gross domestic product (GDP) of the country.

The government has not yet declared the locations of all the economic zones. The resource-poor or backward areas especially in Rangpur division should be considered for setting up at least one economic zone in each district for their abundance of cheaper labour, literate young people, low-cost land and some other comparative advantages. Implementation of such a step can undoubtedly help remove the curse of poverty from the northern region permanently. The socio-economic change that an economic zone can bring about is quite onvious in the Nilphamari district, a development attributable to the Uttara EPZ. Authorities concerned should consider the issue with due seriousness.

Mijanur Rahman

MPA student at BIGM, Agargaon, Dhaka

[email protected]