PM asks BEZA to comply with environmental rules in SEZs

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina asked Bangladesh Economic Zone Authority (BEZA) on Sunday to strictly ensure compliance of environmental standards and obligations in the special economic zones (SEZs), reports BSS.
"The Prime Minister issued particular directives while she was addressing the BEZA's sixth Governing Council meeting at her office," Prime Minister's press secretary Ihsanul Karim told newsmen emerging from the meeting.
He said Sheikh Hasina, herself the BEZA Governing Council chairperson, particularly asked the regulatory authority to keep provision of adequate water bodies and effluent treatment plants (ETPs) in every industrial zone.
The Prime Minister, he said, also asked for creating mangrove forests around the industrial zones, particularly along the southern coastlines to protect the region from cyclones, storms and other natural disasters.
The Prime Minister said the government planned to construct a marine driveway from Mirersarai to Chattogram.
BEZA's Executive Chairman Paban Chowdhury gave a presentation on the activities of the regulatory body and progress of the implementation of decisions taken in its fifth governing council meeting held in January 2017.
Finance Minister Abul Maal Abdul Muhith, Industries Minister Amir Hossain Amu, Commerce Minister Tofail Ahmed, Planning Minister AHM Mostafa Kamal were present, among others, in the meeting.