Staff Reporter, Sirajganj :
In the west bank of Jamuna Bridge in Sirajganj, there are many small and big sandy pastures, unsuitable for cash crops except for boot-nuts. They remain almost uncultivated almost for the whole year. However, the char land Baliari is now ready to have an identity of economic zone. The construction of the country’s first and largest private sector economic zone is now in its final stages, and will also be the country’s first Green Economic Zone.
The zone is being prepared with the engineering and technical support of the Japan Development Institute (JDI). Nike, the world-famous brand of shoes and jerseys, is manufacturing there in a joint venture with Bangladesh’s Apex. Discussions are going on to set up factories in single and joint ventures with some other world-renowned brands. Among the domestic institutions, there are 23 industrial groups including Square. It is expected that the export from this economic zone will start within the next year.
Sirajganj Economic Zone is being built on 1 thousand 81 acres on the west bank of Bangabandhu Bridge in Sirajganj near the Jamuna River. Total plots are 400. Forty percent of the total land is open to keep the entire project green. Various infrastructures including playground, reservoir, forest, recreation center, hospital, technical institute, Central Effluent Treatment Plant (CETP), rain water harvesting system, solar-panel-park are in the plan.
Recently visiting the Sirajganj Economic Zone (EZ), it is seen that the construction of some factory buildings has started. Of course, land development is now the main task of the authorities. The huge work is going on all around. It is known that 18 local and foreign companies have already acquired the land. The entire structure of the economic zone has been designed to meet green technology compliance requirements. There is very easy transportation by sea and land. Especially in Payra and Mongla port it is possible to reach the goods in just two hours from Sirajganj, which saves money and time. It will also reduce the lead time. Lead time is the time taken to produce the goods after receiving export orders from foreign buyers. Long lead time is considered as Bangladesh’s main weakness in the export market by foreign brands and buyers.
Apart from this, priority is being given to the production of basic raw materials for industry in Sirajganj Economic Zone. The advantage is that precious time will not be lost in the raw material import process. A large amount of import costs will be saved. According to the latest data of Bangladesh Bank, about 8.4 billion dollars are spent annually on the import of raw materials required for the production of export-oriented industrial products. A large part of these raw materials comes from China and India. Some entrepreneurs of export-oriented garments told New Nation that they will get less time-saving raw materials if production is done in Sirajganj Economic Zone. It will increase the country’s export competitiveness in the international market.
Director of Sirajganj Economic Zone, Sheikh Monowar Hossain told The New Nation that due to the US tariff war with China, the country has a hostile attitude towards the US and its ally Europe. For this reason, European-American industrialists are following the ‘China Plus’ policy. In that case Bangladesh is the best option in front of them. But the reality is that there is no suitable infrastructure in the country. They are trying to develop the Sirajganj Economic Zone by
providing environment friendly and compliance friendly structures for foreign entrepreneurs. You are also getting its benefits. Many foreign entrepreneurs are contacting to set up factories under sole or syndicate management. There are big domestic companies.
Sheikh Monowar Hossain also claimed that, they have guaranteed 100 per cent all kinds of industrial production services including gas, electricity and water. In this regard, they have received all kinds of support from the Prime Minister’s office and the Bangladesh Economic Zone Authority (BEZA).
Centering on Sirajganj Economic Zone, there will be unprecedented value addition to the economy of the entire country, which will also help in achieving various development goals of the government.
