Japan has appointed international consultants to conduct a comprehensive study on the prospect of formulating an integrated development plan for Matarbari Island.
Japan is financing the implementation of a 1200 megawatt coal-fired power plant at Matarbari.
The development plan is likely to have several components including building of power plants, deep seaport, township and rail-road connectivity.
"We have started the survey recently and may make large investments, depending on the outcome of the study," a senior JICA (Japan International Cooperation Agency) official told the FE.
The investment, if took place, would be under the BIG-B ((The Bay of Bengal Industrial Growth Belt) initiative that aims at accelerating industrial agglomeration along the Dhaka-Chittagong-Cox's Bazar belt area and beyond, encompassing developing economic infrastructure, improving investment environment and fostering connectivity.
During Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's talks with her Japanese counterpart in Tokyo in May, 2014, Sheikh Hasina expressed the hope that the initiative, with the maximum use of Japan's advanced technologies and socioeconomic development experiences, will yield mutual benefits to both the countries.
The JICA has appointed International Development Center of Japan, PADECO Company Ltd, J-POWER, and Oriental Consultants global to conduct the feasibility study.
The JICA official said the survey that will take nearly one year's time is expected to include suggestions on basic policies, development schemes, relevant project list, and action plans for Matarbari area development strategies.
Three development plans -- short-term, mid-term and long-term ones -- will be chalked out for the area on the basis of survey output.
Sources said the JICA consultants and officials from Dhaka office recently had several round of discussions with government officials of relevant ministries about the survey.
In Matarbari area various projects including power plants, transmission lines, deep sea port, highways, railway lines, and township may be developed, they were further told.
A senior power division official said the survey has five main objectives -'designing power and energy hub against energy-shift, identifying industrial and commercial deep-sea ports, developing disaster mitigation plan for Matarbari area, formulating integrated regional development plan around the area, and conceptualisation of Big-B initiative'.
The official said JICA's involvement in construction of second deep-sea port in Matrabari area is also under preliminary discussion.
"The high-ups of the government want Japan's exclusive engagement in the development of Matarbari area. China and India have also shown interest in the development of the zone," he added.
© 2024 - All Rights with The Financial Express
