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Prime Minister Tareq Rahman has called for the country’s economic zones to be developed as green, modern, and investment-friendly industrial areas, emphasizing environmental conservation alongside industrialization. Concurrently, as part of the government’s 25 crore tree plantation program, a decision has been made to plant a total of 1.25 lakh trees in all EPZs across the country.
These decisions were made on Monday (August 3) afternoon at a meeting of the Governing Board of the Bangladesh Economic Zones Authority (BEZA), held at the Prime Minister’s Office in the Cabinet Division of the Bangladesh Secretariat. Prime Minister Tareq Rahman presided over the meeting.
Prime Minister’s Deputy Press Secretary Md. Sujauddoula (Sujon Mahmud) stated that the tree plantation program has been initiated to develop economic zones as environmentally friendly, harmonizing industrialization with environmental protection. This will play a positive role in increasing green coverage and maintaining ecological balance.
He further informed that the meeting reviewed the progress of implementing decisions from BEZA’s ninth Governing Board meeting. Additionally, various topics were discussed, including the establishment of new economic zones, evaluation of private economic zones, optimal utilization of unused state-owned industrial assets, and investment expansion.
The meeting also reviewed the potential use of land and existing infrastructure of Karim Jute Mills and Latif Bawany Jute Mills in Narayanganj for economic activities. Emphasis was placed on attracting domestic and foreign investment, creating new employment, and further invigorating the local economy by establishing modern industrial enterprises in these areas.
Moreover, the Deputy Press Secretary mentioned that discussions were held regarding strict adherence to established guidelines in the application and licensing process for private economic zones, as well as the formulation of necessary new policies.
Finance Minister Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury, Commerce Minister Khandaker Abdul Muktadir, Environment, Forest and Climate Change Minister Abdul Awal Mintu, Expatriates’ Welfare and Overseas Employment Minister Ariful Haque Chowdhury, Road Transport and Bridges, Railways and Shipping Minister Sheikh Rabiul Alam, and Bangladesh Investment Development Authority (BIDA) Executive Chairman Chowdhury Ashiq Mahmud Bin Harun were present at the meeting.