BSMSN is one of the most suitable sites of Bangladesh for setting up industrial establishments. It is along the strategic location of Dhaka-Chittagong industrial corridor.
A delegation of BGMEA led by its President Faruque Hassan held a meeting with Paban Chowdhury, Executive Chairman of the Bangladesh Economic Zones Authority (BEZA) at BEZA office in Dhaka on 25 May.
They had discussion on the progress of constructing the garment village at Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Shilpa Nagar (BSMSN).
BGMEA President Faruque Hassan extended thanks to the BEZA for developing the industrial park and leasing land to set up garment factories at BSMSN. He also expressed his hope that state-of-the-art garment factories in the industrial park will generate more employment and contribute to the country’s economy with export earnings.
Faruque Hassan, President, BGMEA handing over the cheque to the Paban Chowdhury, Executive Chairman, BEZA.
After the meeting, the BGMEA President handed over a cheque of Tk. 15.85 crore to the BEZA Executive Chairman as a payment by eight garment factories for getting land allotment in the garment park.
Earlier, 41 apparel manufacturers got allotment of industrial plots at Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Shilpa Nagar.
BGMEA Vice President (Finance) Khandoker Rafiqul Islam, Vice President Miran Ali and Vice President Md. Nasir Uddin were present on the occasion.
BEZA has Project Agreement with World Bank for Development Works at Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Shilpanagar
The World Bank is providing USD 500 million in financial assistance through the Private Investment and Digital Entrepreneurship (PRIDE) project, the lion’s share of which (US 467.50 million, 93.40%) is provided to transform Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Shilpanagar as a modern multimodal city. World Bank and Bangladesh Economic Zones Authority has signed a Project Agreement on April 13, 2021. The total cost of the project has been estimated at Tk 4,347 crore of which World Bank loan is Tk 3,096.48 crore and GoB funding is Tk 369.64 crore.
About the Project
Under the project, a total of 30 km long roads and connecting roads will be constructed at Zone-2A and Zone-2B and around them. 31 km Drainage Network has been proposed in the project for storm water drainage and about 990 acres of land has been proposed to be developed to make it suitable for investment and industrial growth.
An Investors’ Club for the visiting investors and an OSS center will be set up under the project outline. Apart from this, skill development center, 4 power substations & 20 km distribution line for uninterrupted power supply, 25 km long optical fiber & telecommunication system for high capacity internet connection, 28 km Gas pipeline with 2 DRS for industrial gas connection, 40 km long water distribution line, Sanitary pipeline for waste disposal, alignment correction of Ichakhali canal, 40 km long boundary wall for protecting the city are all included under the project purview to create a self-reliant city.
The project also comprises of a 48 MLD capacity Central Effluent Treatment Plant for industrial waste treatment, and Solid Waste Management Plant for solid waste treatment and waste sorting and material recovery facility & moreover Biogas plant.
Rooftop and floating solar will be established to ensure the use of renewable energy in industrial plants.
Additionally, to meet the water demand of this industrial city, a 30 MLD capacity desalination plant and 12.14 km long Steam network will be set up under this project.
Environmental Lab & Monitoring System will be established to check environmental parameters & standards at Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Shilpanagar. Other infrastructures include Child Care & Emergency Health Care Center, Emergency Response Center, Embellishment of Sheikh Hasina Sarobar, enhancing esthetic beauty, establishing religious centres etc.
Notably, the project was approved at the ECNEC meeting, chaired by Hon’ble Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on February 1, 2021 and on the other hand, the master plan of Bangabandhu Shilpanagar was finalized in 2019 on the basis of various directives received from HPM herself.
Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Shilpanagar will serve as a model for the country’s industrial revolution. At least 1.5 million people will be employed in this city of more than 30,000 acres. As one of the largest economic and industrial zones in South Asia and at the gateway to the southeastern part of the country, the city is emerging as a crossroad of domestic and foreign investment.
Investors are exhibiting keen interest consequently for visible infrastructure development and the most convenient geo-strategic location. Renowned domestic and foreign companies which include Berger, Asian Paints, TK Group, Walton, Summit, Bashundhara, GPH, Healthcare Pharmaceuticals etc. have chosen location for their investment and expansion. Development work is expected to boost up soon in an area of about 2,000 acres in zones 2A & 2B, 3, 4 and 5 of this city.
The project is due to be implemented by December 2025.
Effort is underway to set up 12 industries in Bangabandhu Shilpanagar and at least 6 industries are likely to jolt production this year. Entrepreneurs in single or joint ventures are constructing industries in sectors like garments and knitwear, steel & iron, power & energy, chemical products, electrical & electronics equipment, pharmaceuticals, textiles, container manufacturing, edible oil, food processing, automotive industries etc. About USD 22 billion has already been proposed for Bangabandhu Shilpanagar, of which USD 1.38 billion is foreign endevour.
19.5 km of 23 km long marine Super dyke, 230 KVA grid station and Sheikh Hasina Sarani along with 18 culverts & 10 km long two-lane road work are in final stages.
