Mirsarai: The Bangladesh Economic Zones Authority (BEZA) will set up the country’s first Defence Industrial Zone in Mirsarai, Chattogram, to produce military equipment for domestic use and export. The decision was taken at a meeting of the Investment Promotion Agency (IPA) on Monday, chaired by Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus.
According to United News of Bangladesh, BEZA Executive Chairman Chowdhury Ashik Mahmud Bin Harun announced at a post-meeting press conference at the Foreign Service Academy that the zone will be developed on about 850 acres of land in Mirsarai. The decision, made in consultation with the Armed Forces Division and with government approval, will initially focus on the production of basic warfare equipment. Ashik highlighted the importance of having a dedicated zone to produce military items locally, which could address shortages and create export opportunities.
The land for the project had been unused following the cancellation of a previously planned Indian Economic Zone. Several countries have expressed interest in investing in the defence industrial zone, though their names remain confidential for security reasons. Ashik noted that Bangladesh’s current arms-manufacturing facilities cannot fully meet domestic demand. The new zone aims to address this by starting operations on around 50 acres, with plans for phased expansion included in the master plan.
In addition to the defence zone, BEZA plans to establish a Free Trade Zone (FTZ) on 650 acres of land in Anwara, Chattogram. This FTZ will allow countries to store goods without customs complications. Ashik cited Dubai’s success with a similar zone, which contributes significantly to its GDP, as a model for leveraging the Bay of Bengal’s potential.
Ashik explained that the absence of a free trade zone currently limits the volume of American cotton imports to Bangladesh. The establishment of an FTZ would facilitate exports and allow countries like the United States to re-export goods to destinations such as Vietnam. He mentioned that setting up a free trade zone would require amendments to eight legal and regulatory provisions, with policy work underway and execution to be carried out by the elected government.
BEZA also plans to revive the Kushtia Sugar Mill on 200 acres of land and bring 331 municipalities under its jurisdiction to protect agricultural land. These initiatives aim to promote planned industrialisation while safeguarding agricultural areas in Bangladesh.