PM: Huge export-oriented industries being built centring Mongla, Payra ports

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Wednesday told parliament that her administration has taken a number of initiatives, such as building several economic zones centring the Mongla and Payra ports, for giving a strong footing for the country’s economy and socio-economic development of the south and south-western regions.

“The present government has been working for socio-economic development of the south and south-western region of the country and generating employment for which reasons enormous measures have been taken for huge industrialization of the region,” she said, reports BSS.

The Leader of the House made the remarks in response to a tabled question from a Jatiya Party lawmaker Md Rustum Ali Faraji, of Pirojpur 3 constituency.

She said that as part of the plan to set up export-oriented industries, the Bangladesh Export Zones Authority (BEZA) is now setting up several economic zones — including one besides Payra Deep Sea Port in line with the overall site plan, Mongla Economic Zone, Mongla Special Economic Zone for India, and Fomcom Economic Zone.

In this context, Hasina also said: “Initiatives have also been taken to set up 12 more economic zones in Barisal, Khulna, Gopalganj, Madaripur, Shariatpur and Faridpur to increase the country’s export utilizing the facilities of the Mongla and Payra ports.”

The government has taken huge development initiatives for expansion of roads and setting up power plants centring the ports, she said, adding that works of some of those have already been completed.

She said her government has been giving cash and non-cash incentives and sending promotional materials to foreign chambers and trade organisations and setting up an EPD in Jessore aimed to attract investments in the ports.

The introduction of “one stop service” is now at the final stage to accelerate the export-oriented environment in the country, the prime minister added.

Besides, measure has been taken to build a modern and environment friendly ship recycling industry at Taltali upazila in Barguna, she said.

The work on setting up 34 buffer godowns with the capacity of stockpiling 510,000 ton urea fertilizer in Barguna, Bhola, Patuakhali, Jessore, Khulna and Bagerhat in the south and south-western regions, she said.