Ctg Chinese Economic Zone Set to Move Ahead

The long-delayed Chinese Economic and Industrial Zone (CEIZ) in Anwara, Chattogram, is set to enter the implementation phase by June, as key negotiations with the Chinese side near completion.

Officials of the Bangladesh Economic Zones Authority (Beza) said a land developer agreement with China Road and Bridge Corporation is expected to be finalised within the next two months, paving the way for infrastructure work to begin.

The project, spanning nearly 783 acres, has remained stalled for more than nine years due to the absence of a formal developer agreement. However, authorities said recent efforts have accelerated progress, with several pending issues now close to resolution.

Initially, China Harbour Engineering Company was slated to develop the infrastructure, but failure to reach an agreement caused prolonged delays. In 2022, the Chinese government nominated China Road and Bridge Corporation as the new developer, reviving the initiative.

Under the project structure, Beza will handle off-site infrastructure such as roads, gas, electricity and water connections, while the developer will carry out internal development work. Officials acknowledged that coordination between these components had previously been limited, contributing to slow progress.

Land acquisition for the project has already been completed, and discussions over the Engineering, Procurement and Construction (EPC) contract are now in their final stage. Once concluded, the developer agreement is expected to follow promptly.

The project, estimated to cost Tk4,056 crore, will be financed partly through Chinese loans, including around $221 million in preferential buyer’s credit. Key components include a jetty, connecting roads, and a central effluent treatment plant.

Located on the eastern bank of the Karnaphuli River, near the Karnaphuli Tunnel, the economic zone is scheduled for completion by June 2029.

Officials believe that once operational, the zone could significantly boost industrialisation, with textiles, pharmaceuticals and light engineering identified as priority sectors, while also attracting greater foreign investment into the country.