Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Shilpa Nagar (BSMSN), the country's flagship economic zone, continues to court local and foreign companies as it is set to offer all required amenities.
According to officials, this large industrial enclave has so far drawn investment proposals of more than $17 billion from 136 conglomerates.
Some industrial units are now ready to start operations this week while work on the construction of a significant number of plants is going on in full swing.
The industrial city has so far allocated more than 5,043 acres of land to the investors, which will create employment for 752,593 people in phases.
It awaits a major development this week since prime minister is scheduled to open and lay the foundation stones of 50 units at the BSMSN and different EZs in other parts of the country on October 26.
Of the 14 facilities awaiting formal inauguration, four factories are located at the BSMSN, including Asian Paints, Nippon & McDonald Steel Industries, McDonald Steel Industries, and Samuda Construction.
In addition to the industrial units, a 20-kilometre Sheikh Hasina road, 230-kVA grid line and a substation at the BSMSN will also be inaugurated the same day.
Besides, PM Sheikh Hasina will lay the foundation stone of a water treatment plant having the capacity of 50-million litres per day.
She will also lay the foundation stones of nine units at the BSMSN, including Bashundhara Chemical Industries, Marico Bangladesh, Healthcare Life Science and Kiam Metal Industries.
Contacted, Bangladesh Economic Zones Authority (BEZA) executive chairman Shaikh Yusuf Harun said they are getting a very good response from investors from home and abroad to all the well-equipped EZs countrywide.
Of the industrial parks, the BSMSN is getting the highest attention, especially from foreigners, due to its environmental friendliness and resilience.
"The BSMSN is being developed through a well-thought-out plan to make it green and resilient with the support of global organisations like the World Bank," Mr Harun told the FE.
Besides, the BEZA is providing all required facilities, including common effluent treatment plant (CETP), safety and security facilities for investors.
It will help manufacturers ensure compliance issues and export goods to developed destinations like the USA, Mr Harun said, adding that the BSMSN has a very suitable geographical location.
According to available information, the industrial enclave encompasses 33,805 acres of land with a 25-km coastline along Sandwip Channel in the Bay of Bengal.
It comprises three EZs spreading over Chattogram's Mirsarai and Sitaukundu sub-districts and Feni's Songazi sub-district.
The BEZA aims to create 1.5-million jobs in the industrial city in the next one-and-a-half decade and achieve an annual target of $15 billion export from this industrial city.
It has so far got approvals from the government to develop 97 EZs and it eyes to develop 100 EZs.
Currently, 28 EZs are at different stages of development and they received investment proposals worth $22.17 billion.
Besides, 12 privately-run economic zones received an investment of $4.0 billion.
The 14 factories awaiting commercial operations on Wednesday [October 26] are located in Meghna EZ, Meghna Industrial EZ (MIEZ), Srihatta EZ and City EZ.
The construction of 29 plants will begin at the BSMSN, Srihatta EZ, Jamalpur EZ, Karnaphuli Dry Dock Special EZ, Cumilla EZ, Bay EZ, MIEZ, Hosendi EZ and City EZ.
