Aug 03 (V7N) - Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has stressed the need to transform Bangladesh's economic zones into green, modern, and investment-friendly industrial hubs, ensuring a balance between industrialization and environmental protection.
He made the remarks while chairing a meeting of the Governing Board of the Bangladesh Economic Zones Authority (BEZA) at the Prime Minister's Office in the Bangladesh Secretariat.
According to Prime Minister's Deputy Press Secretary Md. Suzauddhowla Sujon Mahmud, the board made several key decisions to expand economic zones, boost investment, create jobs, and safeguard the environment. As part of the government's nationwide 25 crore tree plantation programme, 125,000 trees will be planted across all Export Processing Zones (EPZs) to increase green coverage and make the zones more environmentally friendly.
The meeting reviewed progress on previous board decisions and discussed establishing new economic zones, evaluating private economic zones, and optimizing the use of unused state-owned industrial assets. Discussions also explored the potential of utilizing land and infrastructure at Karim Jute Mills and Latif Bawany Jute Mills in Narayanganj for economic activities, with a focus on attracting domestic and foreign investment and stimulating the local economy.
The board also addressed compliance with guidelines for private economic zone applications and licensing, along with formulating new policies in this area.
Attendees included Finance Minister Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury, Industries Minister Khandakar Abdul Muktadir, Environment Minister Abdul Awal Mintoo, Road Transport Minister Shaikh Rabiul Alam, Labour Minister Ariful Haque Choudhury, and BIDA Executive Chairman Chowdhury Ashik Mahmud Bin Harun.
end/aj/rh
