The then government approved the construction of two separate economic zones in the Kotalipara and Sadar upazilas of Gopalganj. A project worth Tk 4.85 billion was taken up for the construction of an economic zone in Kotalipara.
The BEZA officials say the projects were taken only to appease the then prime minister Sheikh Hasina. There was no need for two separate economic zones in the same district. Now, in the changed context, these projects are likely to be cancelled.
Former food minister Abdur Razzaque, secured the approval for an economic zone in his electoral constituency in Tangail, former MP Naimur Rahman Durjoy got an approval for two economic zones in his districts and controversial businessperson S Alam secured a government approval for an economic zone in Chattogram’s Banshkhali.
BEZA says the proposals for these economic zones are likely to be discarded. The projects for economic zones in Barisal, Cox’s Bazar’s Maheshkhali, Bhola, Brahmanbaria’s Ashuganj, Narsingdi, Narayanganj’s Sonargaon, Natore’s Lalpur, Bagerhat’s Sundarbans, Khagrachhari’s Alutila, Naogaon’s Sapahar, Sunamganj, Manikganj, Gazipur’s Sreepur, Khulna, Mymensingh and Madaripur are likely to be discarded.
Centre for Policy Dialogue (CPD) distinguished fellow Mostafizur Rahman told Prothom Alo, “In the changed context, the interim government has the chance to reorganise the priority list for economic zones and cancel the projects that lack viability.”
*This report appeared on the print and online versions of Prothom Alo and has been rewritten in English by Ashish Basu