National Special Economic Zone to take 20 more years to be fully ready

Authorities have presented a master plan for developing the National Special Economic Zone (NSEZ), the construction of which began in 2015, over the next 20 years in three phases.

The NSEZ, the country's largest economic zone – spanning 33,805 acres in Sitakunda and Mirsharai of Chattogram, and Sonagazi of Feni – is being developed by the Bangladesh Economic Zones Authority (Beza).

"Until now, there was no actual phasing plan in place. The master plan outlines a timeframe starting today and extending over the next five years, followed by phases spanning 6–10 years, and so on," Chowdhury Ashik Mahmud Bin Harun, executive chairman of Beza, said, replying to a question of TBS at a programme in Dhaka today (20 November).

In the first phase over the next five years, the Mirsharai zone of the NSEZ spanning 17,313.58 acres of land will be developed.

The Sonagazi zone covering 11,020.5 acres will be developed in the second phase between the 6th and 10th years while the Sitakunda zone will be established in the third and final phase between the 11th and 20th years. 

Beza presented the plan at a "National Workshop on Regional Environmental and Social Assessment for the National Special Economic Zone (Mirsharai, Sitakunda, and Feni EZ)" at a hotel in the capital.

Stakeholders made several recommendations, including the introduction of a regional air monitoring programme, to protect the environment in the NSEZ.

Chowdhury Ashik Mahmud Bin Harun, executive chairman of Beza. Photo: TBS

There is no need to establish 100 economic zones right now. We need to focus on a few key economic zones and ensure that we can provide all necessary facilities for both investors and workers in those areas

Chowdhury Ashik Mahmud Bin Harun | executive chairman, Beza

The Beza executive chairman said, "There is no need to establish 100 economic zones right now. We need to focus on a few key economic zones and ensure that we can provide all necessary facilities for both investors and workers in those areas."

Ashik further said, "A central effluent treatment plant (CETP) will be set up. Without a CETP, it is not possible to create a green economic zone. There have already been extensive discussions and consultation meetings on this. A final consultation meeting is scheduled for next week, after which we will commence the work."

Citing an investor, the Beza executive chairman said, "At this event, the investor mentioned that they acquired land in the economic zone in 2018 and were promised electricity connections by 2020. However, this has not yet been provided. We need to focus on ensuring that the promises we make to investors are fulfilled within the specified timeframe."

Economic zones will be developed in accordance with environmental and social guidelines, he said, adding that the principles of ecological modernisation will be followed. "We will establish economic zones phase by phase. No economic zone will be approved or granted a pre-qualification licence without a feasibility study."

Ashik, also executive chairman of the Bangladesh Investment Development Authority (Bida), said, "What we have seen so far is a lot of meetings and discussions, but the recommendations and suggestions that emerged from those meetings were not implemented. This has been the case for years. We come up with some recommendations, applaud them as excellent ideas, but then fail to implement them.

"I hope that today's discussion will not end up like those in the past. I want to create a very clear action plan for my team. We will determine who will be responsible for implementing this plan to ensure accountability."

According to the master plan, after the full completion of the economic zone, the power demand will be 3,248 MW per day while the gas demand will be 700 MMcfd (million cubic feet per day).

During the paper presentation, EQMS Consulting Limited Managing Director Kazi Farhed Iqubal said once the industrial zone becomes fully operational, approximately 1,033 MLD (millions of litre per day) of water will be required. Currently, a water treatment plant and water supply pipeline with a capacity of 100 MLD are under construction, he said. 

Beza is collaborating with Chattogram Wasa through a public-private partnership (PPP) to meet the water demand by attracting investments.

Stakeholders recommended that based on the review of regional monitoring data, the Department of Environment should consider taking appropriate measures for industrial regulation, which may be linked to environmental clearance or decisions regarding the establishment of new industries in the region. 

Additionally, a regional water quality monitoring process must be developed and implemented to control water pollution, they suggested. 

The recommendations also emphasised the need for developing and implementing a township plan for workers, taking into account the distance between workplaces and residential areas. 

Additionally, the recommendations call for the proper development and implementation of education, healthcare, communication systems, and other social infrastructure.

Syeda Masuma Khanam, director of the Department of Environment, said, "If effluent treatment plants (ETPs) are properly constructed, pollution can be reduced. If Beza and the Department of Environment work in coordination, this economic zone will become the country's first compliance zone."

Lamiya Morshed, the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) affairs principal coordinator, said, "We must develop environmentally sustainable green economic zones. This issue has been raised in today's discussion, and it is crucial that these measures are implemented correctly."

Beza Executive Member Saleh Ahmed said, "We will implement nature-based solutions. We will give the highest priority to environmental protection. Some 22% of the area of the NSEZ will not have any factories. This will be a green zone, with trees and lakes."