Int'l investors eye BD economic zone -The Asian Age

The economic zone in Maheshkhali of Cox's Bazar has become a lucrative destination for the entrepreneurs from different countries of the world. A number of foreign entrepreneurs are keen to invest afresh in several sectors.The new economic zone is being setup at beside of the deep seaport.

Conse-quently, the foreign entrepreneurs want to hugely invest which will help create fresh job opportunities. Investors from different countries including China, South Korea, Hong Kong, Singapore, Thailand and USA want to invest around Tk 500 billion in large industries of several sectors.

The Bangladesh Eco-nomic Zones Authority (BEZA) is giving importance to setup large scale industries at Maheshkhali Economic Zone (MEZ). Companies, in particular, that need deep sea port to run their business, are getting priority to get land at the Maheshkhali Economic Zone. Industry insiders said Maheshkhali will be hub of electricity and energy in future.

As a result, most of the global inves-tors choose Maheshkhali for setting up in LPG, LNG terminal, petrochemical, electricity and solar power stations. Apart from this, a number of entrepreneurs want to setup industries including ship-breaking

and shipbuilding. Paban Chowdhury, Executive Chairman of BEZA said they have already received a number of foreign investment proposals from several countries to setup large scale industries. He said, as the deep seaport is near to Maheshkhali Economic Zone, the area is a lucrative destination for foreign investors.

In last week, a delegation of Singapore-based Chinese company International Engineering Consulting Corporations came to Bangladesh led by its chairman Li Shanhur. They visited Maheshkhali economic zone. The company wants to setup eco-friendly several industries including ship-breaking and shipbuilding.

For setting up those industries, the company wants to invest over Tk 80 billion which will create huge job opportunities. The company has demanded 1000 acres  land at the Maheshkhali Economic Zone.Hong Kong-based Stella Group and Bay Group of Bangladesh want to jointly investment in the petrochemical sector at the MEZ. The group has requested the BEZA authority to allocate 200 acres of land in Maheshkhali.The Stella Group and Bay Group will invest $ 1.00 billion in this sector. In this week, a business delegation of the group will visit the Maheshkhali Economic Zone.