Govt mulls setting up EZ for China at Anwara

Pankaj Dastider | Published: August 12, 2014 00:00:00 | Updated: November 30, 2026 06:01:00

CHITTAGONG, Aug 11: China is likely to construct an economic zone (EZ) at Anwara, south of Chittagong Port, as the government is actively considering the issue to be settled within next few months.
A high-powered delegation from China is likely to visit the site of the economic zone later this month, sources said adding that acquisition of land for the EZ will start following green signal from the highest authority.
Additional Secretary at the Prime Minister's Office (PMO) and Member (planning and development) of the Bangladesh Economic Zones Authority (BEZA) Dr Nurun Nabi Mridha visited the proposed site of the economic zone Saturday last.
Environment expert SA Hasan, procurement specialist Habibul Aziz, ADC (revenue) of Chittagong Abdul Quader, Upazila Nirbahi Officer of Anwara, Shaikh Farid Ahmed and Assistant Commissioner (land) of Anwara Mrs Juthica Sarkar were present during the visit.
Mr Mridha said a proposal from China to construct an economic zone in Anwara is under active consideration of the authorities concerned. China has also offered to construct the immersed tunnel under the River Karnaphuli at Patenga.
He saw the layout plan of the EZ and other details. He exchanged views with the local people and instructed the local land office to prepare an account of the land purchased and possessed by a private entrepreneur in the area for a proposed power plant.
He said both China and Bangladesh are engaged in bilateral discussions for developing the economic zone and discussions have already progressed a lot in the positive direction.
The last Awami League government of Sheikh Hasina had undertaken three projects of international standard economic zones at Anwara, Mirsarai and Sherpur of Moulvibazar. The projects were approved in the cabinet meeting and later in the ECNEC (Executive Committee of the National Economic Council) meeting.
A three-member team of Japan conducted a survey on the possibility of the economic zone and some 612 acres of land from villages of Modhya Gohira, Ghatkul and Anwara have been earmarked for the EZ. The government has khas land of 170 acres and the rest 442 acres will be acquired from the local people.
A 16-kilometre link road will also be constructed in the EZ, sources said adding that a private entrepreneur will construct a power plant near the Anwara economic zone.
Prime Minister's Economic Adviser Dr Mashiur Rahman, senior secretary Abul Kalam, Japanese feasibility study team and other government officials visited the site separately at the end of last year.
An export processing zone has been set up at east Anwara on about 2,400 acres of land by Korean shoe and readymade garment giant Youngone Corporation apart from an exclusive industrial park by local textile giant Saad Musa group.