Sylhet deemed as country's first economic zone
Friday, 20 November 2009
Munima Sultana
Sylhet could be the most suitable place for establishing the country's first economic zone opening the window for investments by non-resident Bangladeshis (NRBs).
Mahmud us Samad Chowdhury, chairman of Sylhet Economic Zone Task Force said the district has vast fallow land suitable for setting up industrial enterprises.
Also member of the parliament, Mahmud said around 1000 acres of land, located five kilometres south of Sylhet town and on the bank of South Surma is close to the highway which is to be connected to Asian Highway. There is availability of power and gas from Fenchuganj and plenty of resources in Jaflong.
"Economic zone in Sylhet will create scope for big investment as 60 billion taka of non-resident Bangladeshis (NRBs) remain idle in different banks," the chairman said in an interview Wednesday.
Despite the advantages, Mr Mahmud, MP of Sylhet-3 said the opportunities of the locality could not be explored as the Economic Zone Act is pending for review for the last 10 months.
The government started working on Economic Zone in 2005. The draft EZ policy was submitted to the caretaker government in April 2008 upon which an ordinance was promulgated in January 2009. The ordinance was not placed in the parliament to make an act as the elected government sent it for further review.
Sylhet could be the most suitable place for establishing the country's first economic zone opening the window for investments by non-resident Bangladeshis (NRBs).
Mahmud us Samad Chowdhury, chairman of Sylhet Economic Zone Task Force said the district has vast fallow land suitable for setting up industrial enterprises.
Also member of the parliament, Mahmud said around 1000 acres of land, located five kilometres south of Sylhet town and on the bank of South Surma is close to the highway which is to be connected to Asian Highway. There is availability of power and gas from Fenchuganj and plenty of resources in Jaflong.
"Economic zone in Sylhet will create scope for big investment as 60 billion taka of non-resident Bangladeshis (NRBs) remain idle in different banks," the chairman said in an interview Wednesday.
Despite the advantages, Mr Mahmud, MP of Sylhet-3 said the opportunities of the locality could not be explored as the Economic Zone Act is pending for review for the last 10 months.
The government started working on Economic Zone in 2005. The draft EZ policy was submitted to the caretaker government in April 2008 upon which an ordinance was promulgated in January 2009. The ordinance was not placed in the parliament to make an act as the elected government sent it for further review.