Bhola: Fueled by its rich natural gas reserves, Bhola, the country's only deltaic island detached from the mainland, is fast becoming a magnet for industrial growth and employment. The district's nine productive gas wells have sparked a wave of investment, drawing both domestic industrial giants and foreign enterprises eager to capitalize on the energy bounty.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, local conglomerates are already setting up manufacturing plants, while Chinese firms, backed by international capital, have secured expansive plots in Shibpur Union to launch large-scale operations. This surge in industrial activity is reshaping Bhola's economic landscape, transforming the once quiet riverine district into a thriving hub of opportunity. With gas at the center of this transformation, Bhola is poised to become a model of energy-driven development in the south.
Kazi Group has already established a feed production factory beside the Kheyaghat road in the district headquarters, distributing their products nationwide. Additionally, Shelltech Company set up a large tile manufacturing plant five years ago in West Elisha on the outskirts of the town. Deputy General Manager of Shelltech Md. Shafqat Hossain stated that they produce international-standard tiles using gas-fired systems, meeting domestic demand and exporting abroad.
In the Bheduria area, Urmi Group is actively developing its factory complex over a vast area, while Pran-RFL has acquired extensive land in the same union and is running production across multiple factories. Moreover, numerous small and medium industries have also sprung up in the existing BSCIC industrial zone. With government support, a gas-based urea fertilizer plant is also in the pipeline, and the district administration has confirmed that a coordination committee has been formed for land acquisition in this regard.
Spanning 3,403.48 square kilometers, Bhola is home to 2.2 million people. The development of gas-based industries has not only benefitted the companies but has also created employment for thousands of unemployed youths and women in the district. Sources said that over 3,000 men and women are now employed in the newly established factories, transforming many lives and uplifting families.
China expressed interest in Bhola's industrial potential more than a decade ago. Targeting the Meghna River and adjacent areas of Shibpur union, Chinese companies have acquired hundreds of acres of land and are in the process of acquiring even more. Recently, a Chinese delegation visiting Bangladesh announced plans to establish a Free Trade Zone in Bhola, which, if implemented, is expected to revive the economy of the southern region and connect Bhola's products to the global market.
Vice President of the China Free Trade Zone and Export Processing Zone Association Pan Li stated that the zone will be developed in collaboration with the Bangladesh Economic Zones Authority (BEZA), opening new export opportunities for Bangladeshi agricultural products, fishery items, handicrafts, and other locally produced goods.
The delegation also visited the Bhola Island Industrial Park, a seafood processing plant in Chattogram, and the proposed seafood processing park in Cox's Bazar. They particularly highlighted the strong potential for Bangladeshi rice, fruits, fish, and other agro-products in the Chinese market, with plans in place to boost exports through both online and offline platforms.
Meanwhile, the interim government has granted permission to China to establish an economic zone in Bhola, with development to be undertaken by Leez Fashion Industries Ltd, a Chinese investor already involved in Bangladesh's garments and textiles sectors. A meeting of BEZA has recently approved the establishment of a new economic zone in Bhola, named "Bhola Eco-Development Economic Zone."
According to officials, despite the ongoing gas crisis in the country, Bhola's significant gas reserves make it an ideal location for industrial expansion, expected to create employment opportunities for over one hundred thousand people in the southern region, with an anticipated investment of US$ 1 billion.
Deputy Commissioner of Bhola Md. Azad Jahan expressed optimism, stating that with the pace at which domestic and foreign companies are investing, Bhola is on track to become the "Singapore of the South." He emphasized that no youth in Bhola will remain unemployed, as the unfolding industrial revolution promises a sweeping transformation of the district's overall landscape.