The government envisages generating 12 million employment by 2030 through economic zones and high tech parks, speakers at a workshop said yesterday (Wednesday).
The workshop titled 'The Development and Cooperation of Bangladesh Economic Zones and High Tech Parks" was organised by the Chinese Embassy at Hotel Westin in the capital.
We are going to set up 100 EPZs by 2030 which will add 40 billion dollars to the country's export earnings, said Mohammad Ayub, executive member of Bangladesh Economic Zone Authority (BEZA).
He said Bangladesh was encouraged by China's model of EPZ-based economic development.
He sought Chinese cooperation in building EPZ infrastructures so that natural disasters could not harm EPZs set to be built in coastal areas.
Managing Director of Bangladesh High Tech Authority Hosne Ara Begum, who spoke on the occasion as chief guest said, “China has contributed a lot in the country's economic development.”
In this regard she mentioned setting up data centres in Kaliakoir High Tech park through Chinese assistance.
She urged the Chinese government to encourage Chinese investors to invest more in the economic zones and high-tech parks.
Bhibhas Chandra Mandol, member executive committee of BIDA, said in recent years FDI has been increasing significantly.
"In 1990 it was only 3.2 million dollar but now FDI reached to 2.15 billion dollar."
ERD additional secretary Zahidul Haque said China is gradually becoming an important partner in Bangladesh’s economic development.
He noted that Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's visit to China in 2014 and President Xi Jin Pin's visit to Dhaka in 2016 set a historical momentum in Bangladesh-China economic cooperation.
