PMO seeks Tk 27b to acquire land for 3 economic zones

Rezaul Karim | Published: November 01, 2014 00:00:00 | Updated: November 30, 2024 06:01:00

The prime minister's office (PMO) has sought a fund of Tk 27.0 billion from the ministry of finance in urgent allocation for land acquisition to set up three of a bunch of economic zones (EZs), officials said.
They said such special economic zones have been planned for all potential areas of the country, including backward and underdeveloped regions, for rapid economic development through diversification of industries, employment, production and export.
Such economic zoning got a push through the creation of Bangladesh Economic Zones Authority (BEZA) through the Bangladesh Economic Zones Act, 2010. It is attached with the Prime Minister's Office (PMO).
"We have sought Tk 27.0 billion from the ministry of finance for starting land acquisition for three EZs," an official concerned of the PMO said.
The zones are in Mirsrai of Chittagong, Gohira in Anowara of Chittagong and Moulvibazar in greater Sylhet.
Land sizes of the three zones are 6615.12 acres, 611.47 acres and 354.99 acres respectively.
An official said earlier the PMO had sought the allocation for BEZA from the ministry. Now the PMO has asked anew for the allocation, he mentioned.
An additional secretary of the section concerned of the MoF said, "Hoping the allocation will be made within the shortest possible time as we are working on the issue expeditiously."
Md. Moniruzzaman, Deputy Secretary and Manager, Investment Promotion, of the BEZA told the FE Friday they would issue request for proposals (RFP) for the three sites after getting the funds from the ministry. Â
"The BEZA has already sent proposals to the Deputy Commissioners (DCs) concerned to begin activities for acquiring land for the three sites," he said.
Meanwhile, the Authority provided Tk 250.0 million for the Sirajganj site to settle private land-acquiring issue.
The proposed land area for the site is about 1041.43 acres, just adjacent to Bangabandhu Bridge over the Jamuna River. About Tk 2.16 billion will be provided to the Sirajganj site next time, sources said. Â
On the other hand, about Tk 47.0 billion has been provided to the Mongla Port Authority for land acquisition. The BEZA has already received the lands. The area of the site is 205.00 acres.
BEZA sources said request for proposals (RFP) for the Sirajganj site has been issued. And a party already has responded.
But the party has sought time extension for submission the RPF. The BEZA has extended time for the party up to November 16, sources said.
Industrial activities in the five proposed EZs now seem to be far off as the site-development works are moving at a very slow pace, sources in the know said about the developments involving the EZs.
Earlier, the governing body headed by the prime minister approved five sites in 2012 for constructing the first-ever economic zones in the country.
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