Dhaka: The Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) and the Bangladesh Economic Zones Investors Association (BEZIA) convened a pivotal meeting today to strategize on enhancing investment in the country's economic zones. The meeting aimed to tackle existing infrastructural and policy-related hurdles that investors face, in a bid to stimulate fresh investments.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, the high-level discussions took place at the BGMEA Complex in Uttara. BEZIA President M A Jabbar led his organization's delegation, while BGMEA President Mahmud Hasan Khan headed the BGMEA side. The meeting was attended by key figures from both organizations, including BEZIA Vice-President Md Halimuzzaman and BGMEA Vice-President (Finance) Mijanur Rahman.
The meeting focused on the progress of plot allocations in five government economic zones, prioritized for full operationalisation as part of the government's short-term goals. M A Jabbar highlighted concerns over delays in infrastructure and utility development, affecting entrepreneurs who have already invested significantly. Currently, only 27 enterprises are operational on approximately 39,000 acres of land, with just 37 percent of allocated land being utilized.
The dialogue underscored the necessity for uninterrupted gas and water supplies and advocated against additional service charges before factories are fully operational. Both organizations agreed to jointly address key policy issues with government authorities to foster a more investment-friendly environment.
Key demands included waiving service charges on utility bills until uninterrupted supply is assured and introducing sector-specific cash incentives for zone investors. The meeting also called for removing double taxation from VAT and sought full VAT exemptions on lease tariffs. Participants emphasized simplifying export procedures and making 99-year lease mutations bankable.
M A Jabbar pointed out the presence of 41 BGMEA unit investors in the National Special Economic Zone in Mirsarai, Chattogram, advocating for strengthened cooperation between BGMEA and BEZIA. He proposed BGMEA nominate a representative to the BEZIA Board to bolster coordination and sustainable industrialisation.
BGMEA President Mahmud Hasan Khan welcomed the proposal, agreeing to nominate a representative promptly. The meeting concluded with leaders expressing optimism that their joint advocacy would prompt the Bangladesh Economic Zones Authority (BEZA) to address infrastructural and policy challenges swiftly.