PM offers economic, industrial zones to China investors

Seeking duty-free excess of more Bangladeshi products to Chinese market alongside increased investment by Chinese entrepreneurs in Bangladesh, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has said allocating a separate Economic and Industrial Zone in Chittagong for Chinese investors is under her government’s consideration. ‘Our existing Export Processing Zones are also attractive for investment. In addition, the Economic Zones Act 2010 has created 7 exclusive economic zones across the country. These would be of interest to the Chinese investors for whom we’re also considering allocating a separate Economic and Industrial Zone in Chittagong,’ she said while delivering her keynote speech at the 9th China-South Asia Business Forum held at Haigeng Conference Centre in Kunming on Saturday morning. Apart from involvement in infrastructure development and energy capacity building, she also sought Chinese participation in joint ventures or individual investment in pharmaceuticals, petrochemicals, shipbuilding, agro-based industries, textiles, ceramics, leather, tourism, manufacturing, ICT, training and development of human resources, design and planning in high valued added sectors, according to UNB.