DHAKA: Urging industrial entrepreneurs to focus on eco-friendly investment, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina said environment would get top priority in setting up any kind of industry.
‘You all should be aware about the environment that should not be put in risk in the name of industrialization,’ the premier added.
PM made this assertion while opening the activities of 10 Economic Zones through video conference from a program held at Bangabandhu International Conference Centre in Dhaka on Sunday (February 28).
PM Hasina said, ‘We have been working in a bid to make Bangladesh as developed and prosperous country since assuming power. We are developing 10 more Economic Zones here’.
‘The highest importance will have to pay to environment in building factories in the areas, so that the environment and cropland are not affected. The country will be developed. We also need to protect the environment nicely.’
“These EZs will play a pivotal role in achieving the Vision-2011 to turn the country into middle income one,’ she added.
At the program, the premier said, ‘Now, we are setting up 10 Economic Zones. But we have to develop more economic zones across the country’.
‘We will build so far 100 Economic Zones (EZ) in the county.’
To set up the 100 EZs, all kind of initiatives – government, private, public-private joint venture, G2G and public-private partnership – will be welcomed, the PM informed the audiences.
Of the 10 Economic Zones, four will be state-run and six private-run.
Four government-run Economic Zones are Mirsarai Economic Zone in Chittagong, Srihatta Economic Zone in Moulvibazar, Mongla Economic Zone in Bagerhat and Sabrang Tourism Park in Cox's Bazar districts.
The six private-run zones are – AK Khan Economic Zone in Narsingdi, Abdul Monem Economic Zone in Munshiganj, Meghna Industrial Economic Zone, Meghna Economic Zone and Aman Economic Zone in Narayanganj and Bay Economic Zone in Gazipur districts.
Earlier, Bangladesh Economic Zones Authority (BEZA) awarded prequalification licenses to four private companies to set up economic zones – one each to AK Khan and Company, Abdul Monem Ltd, Bay Group and two to Meghna Group.
BDST: 1352 HRS, FEB 28, 2016
RS/RR/SMS
