Bangladesh Economic Zones Authority

The Bangladesh Economic Zones Authority or BEZA is an agency of the government of Bangladesh tasked with developing special economic zones.

History

The Bangladesh Economic Zones Act of 2010 created the Bangladesh Economic Zones Authority under the Prime Minister's Office. It was intended to accelerate economic growth by overseeing the development of 100 new economic zones by 2025. In contrast to the export processing zones operated by the Bangladesh Export Processing Zones Authority, which are publicly owned, the new zones were to be funded mainly by private capital and were to allow production for both export and domestic markets. Financial incentives such as exemptions from various taxes and customs and excise duties were intended to lure investors. Finance minister AMA Muhith projected in June 2015 that the economic zones would create 10 million jobs.
National Special Economic Zone is the largest economic zone, spread over in Mirsharai, Sitakunda, and Sonagazi Upazilas. Trial production began there at several factories in the first half of 2022. By September 2023, five factories were in commercial production.

Structure

BEZA's management structure consists of a governing board, executive board and a secretariat. The chairman of the governing board is the prime minister and members include the governor of Bangladesh Bank, the finance minister and other high-level ministers and elected policymakers. The governing board is responsible for overall policy decisions. The executive board includes bureaucrats from Government of Bangladesh.
Shaikh Yusuf Harun was appointed executive chairman of the authority in July 2021.

Newly established and proposed economic zones

The authority has recently approved 37 new economic zones, which consists of governmental, non-governmental and specialized economic zones. The government also announced 50pc tax relief in hi-tech parks and economic zones.

Agailjhara Economic Zone, Barisal
Anowara Economic Zone, Chittagong
Anowara Economic Zone-2, Chittagong
Ashuganj Economic Zone, Brahmanbaria-2
Brahmanbaria Economic Zone
Bagerhat Economic Zone
Bhola Eco-Development Economic Zone
Cox's Bazar Free Trade Zone
Dohar Economic Zone, Dhaka
Habiganj Economic Zone
Jaliardip Economic Zone, Teknaf-Cox's Bazar
Jamalpur Economic Zone
Kushtia Economic Zone
Maheskhali Economic Zone-1
Maheskhali Economic Zone-2
Maheskhali Economic Zone-3
Manikganj Economic Zone
National Special Economic Zone, Chittagong
Narayangonj Economic Zone
Narayangonj Economic Zone-2
Narshingdi Economic Zone
Natore Economic Zone
Nilphamari Economic Zone
Panchagar Economic Zone
Sabrang Special Economic Zone
Shariatpur Economic Zone
Shariatpur Economic Zone-2
Sirajganj Economic Zone
Srihotto Economic Zone, Maulavibazar
Sripur Economic Zone, Gazipur

Non-government economic zones

Government also encouraged building of private economic zone. Some are under construction and some are operational.

A.K. Khan Economic Zone
Abdul Monem Economic Zone
Abul Khair Economic Zone
Akij Economic Zone
Aliance Economic Zone
Aman Economic Zone
Anowar Economic Zone
Arisha Economic Zone
Bashundhara Economic Zone
Bay Economic Zone
BGMEA Garments industrial park
Chatak Economic Zone
City Economic Zone
City Special Economic Zone
Cumilla Economic Zone
East-Coast Group Economic Zone
East-West Special Economic Zone
Famkam Economic Zone
Hamid Economic Zone
Hoshendi Economic Zone
Karnaphuli Dry Dock Special Economic Zone
Kazi Farms Economic Zone Ltd.
Kishoreganj Economic Zone
Meghna Economic Zone
Meghna Industrial Economic Zone
PowerPac Economic Zone (Mongla)
Sirajganj Economic Zone
Sonargaon Economic Zone
Standard Global Economic Zone

Government to government economic zones

Chinese Economic and Industrial Zone
Indian Economic Zone
Indian Economic Zone
Japanese Economic Zone

Public private partnership (PPP) economic zones

Mirsarai EZ : The Powerpac-East West –Gasmin JV is the developer for this zone
Mongla EZ: Mongla EZ is the first PPP EZ in Bangladesh. The developer of first PPP EZ are PowerPac-PPMKPPL JV

Science and technology-based economic zones

The government is establishing science and technology-based economic zones to attract foreign direct investment. Some projects like Bangabandhu Hi-Tech City is being helped by World Bank and DFID.

Barisal high tech park
Ramrail High tech park, Sadar-Brahmanbaria
Chittagong high tech park
CUET IT business incubator centre, Chittagong
Dhaka high tech park
Janata tower Software Park
Jashore Software Technology Park
Kaliakoir high tech park
Keranigonj Special IT Economic Zone, Dhaka
Khulna high tech park
Mohakhali IT Village
Rajhshahi high tech park
Rangpur high tech park
Sylhet Electronic City
Sylhet high tech park
United City IT Park Ltd