Patuakhali EPZ gathers pace with 306 industrial plots ready

Construction of the country’s ninth Export Processing Zone (EPZ) in Patuakhali is progressing, with 306 industrial plots now ready for allocation as the project begins attracting interest from foreign investors.

The EPZ is being developed on 410.78 acres in Panchakoralia village under Auliapur union in Patuakhali Sadar upazila. Land development and sand filling have been completed, while construction of internal roads, buildings and other infrastructure is progressing rapidly.

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A five-member Malaysian investor delegation visited the project site on Friday (July 3), while another delegation from China is expected to visit soon, according to Project Director Md Majedur Rahman Khan.

The Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (Ecnec) approved the Patuakhali EPZ project on August 29, 2023. The project is being implemented entirely with domestic funding at a cost of around Tk 1,443 crore.

Of the total, the government is providing Tk 1,105 crore, while the remaining Tk 338 crore will come from the Bangladesh Export Processing Zones Authority (Bepza). Once completed, it will be the country’s second-largest EPZ by area.

Officials say the Padma Bridge has significantly improved road connectivity between the capital and the southern region. The operational Payra Sea Port and the proposed railway link from Bhanga to Payra via Barishal are also expected to strengthen transport connectivity for industries in the zone.

According to project estimates, the EPZ could generate employment for around 3 lakh people, directly and indirectly. Officials also estimate it could attract more than Tk 18,000 crore in investment and generate annual exports worth around 183 crore US dollars.

Majedur said the Malaysian delegation inspected the project site before attending a presentation at the project office, where Bepza officials outlined the EPZ’s facilities and investment opportunities.

Project officials said the delegation showed interest in acquiring industrial plots following the visit.

According to project sources, construction of internal roads, drainage systems and the boundary wall is progressing rapidly. Rehabilitation of 154 families affected by land acquisition is also underway.

The EPZ will include several multi-storey buildings, 14 power substations, a 15-kilometre 11kV power line, a 33/11kV GIS substation, a helipad, a central effluent treatment plant (CETP), a sewage treatment plant (STP), a rainwater reservoir and other supporting infrastructure.

Bepza also plans to build an Investors’ Club on around two acres in Kuakata for prospective investors.

The EPZ is expected to accommodate industries including light engineering, furniture manufacturing, agro-processing, food processing, fish processing, garments, electrical and electronic products, and information technology.

The EPZ does not yet have a gas connection. However, the government is planning to extend the gas transmission network from Bhola to Barishal, Majedur said. Once that project is implemented, Patuakhali EPZ will receive gas connections on a priority basis.

“Gas connectivity would certainly be an added advantage for industries. However, successful industries are already operating without gas in Uttara and Mongla EPZs,” he told The Daily Star.

He added that nearly 300 acres of industrial land have already been prepared and infrastructure work is progressing rapidly. Although the project was initially scheduled for completion this year, a proposal has been submitted to extend the implementation period until 2028 in view of the current pace of work.