Land development and the installation of required facilities at Jamalpur Economic Zone (JEZ) are almost done as it receives a $42.47-million investment proposal from nine companies.
"Most of the JEZ plots in the first phase have already been sold… We've completed land development and utility services," says BEZA executive chairman Shaikh Yusuf Harun.
Investors are still showing interest for the economic zone that is getting ready to generate jobs for more than 15,000 people, he tells the FE.
"We hope the economic zone will be fully occupied with manufacturing activities within the next two years," adds Mr Harun, a senior secretary to the government.
Data available with the Bangladesh Economic Zones Authority (BEZA) shows the JEZ spreads over 436 acres of land in Sadar upazila of Jamalpur, which borders India, under Mymensingh division.
Two companies are preparing to install plants soon while two others are set to ink deals with the BEZA for land allocation.
A BEZA official says utilities like gas, water, sewerage, reservoirs and required infrastructure like boundary wall, internal roads and a 33/11kV power substation have already been put in place.
An open reservoir spanning over 100 acres will also be created in the economic zone to enhance beauty as well as maintain ecological balance, he said.
The nine companies are Noble Navigation & Shipping Lines, Bioleap Industry, Bioleap Agro, Max Infotech, Bio-Xin Cosmeceuticals, Step Media, Color Style Bangladesh, Silken Sewing and PPS Plastic Pipe Industries Ltd.
They will create more than 3,675 jobs when their industrial facilities come into operation.
A letter of allotment has been issued to Bangladesh Small and Cottage Industries Corporation for 50 acres and Bangladesh Industrial Technical Assistance Centre for five acres to build a technical training centre.
Replying to a query, Mr Harun said the Jamalpur EZ would gain greater attraction as it is located suitably along the Tangail-Jamalpur highway.
"The sheer interest to get land allocation shown by the investors proves the prospects of the JEZ," he added.
The JEZ has been established with a special focus on food and agro-processing as part of the planned industrialisation across the country.
The BEZA, an entity under the Prime Minister's Office assigned to establish, license, operate, manage and control EZs, has been working to establish 100 EZs to help achieve the country's economic goals through well-planned industrialisation.
