Bangladesh Economic Zones Authority (BEZA) emerges in 2010 to establish Economic Zones throughout the country, with the objective to act as a new driving force for faster economic growth by creating investment friendly environment and attracting local and foreign investors to the economic zones.

Keeping this in view, BEZA has already set a target of establishing 100 Economic Zones along four corridors of the country over the next 15 years, selecting 68 sites for establishing EZs, private, G2G and public across the country. BEZA encourages private sector to establish Private Economic Zones and is devoted to offer One-Stop Services and competitive incentive package to the investors.

Importantly, the establishment of economic zones in Bangladesh is an epoch-making initiative of the present government, especially of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has taken this commendable initiative to materialize the dream of the Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman to build “Sonar Bangla”. Of course, we think this is a laudable initiative of the Prime Minister for enhancing the status and development of country.

So, BEZA is committed to fulfil this initiative and ensure inclusive economic growth in Bangladesh through providing one-stop services and competitive incentive packages to the local and foreign investors. Accordingly, the BEZA authorities, led by Executive Chairman Paban Chowdhrury, are working with full commitment to attract Foreign Direct Investment (FDI), promote export and create employment through establishment of Economic Zones and making the zones as the engine of economic growth in Bangladesh.

So, on behalf of the Government of Bangladesh and as the Chief Executive of Bangladesh Economic Zones Authority, the Executive Chairman is inviting national and foreign investors to invest in economic zones and share benefits of mutual growth and prosperity.

We believe the Economic Zones must be a major player of economic growth and job creation and be a major factor in lifting Bangladesh into a middle-income country status by 2021. In this issue, we are focusing on the entire activities, problems, potentials, achievements and future plans of BEZA, including the current scenario of industrial and economic developments in Bangladesh and the roles of the government behind the developments.

We believe not only our readers but also the investors at home and abroad will find interest in this issue of The Guardian and attract for investment to the economic zones of Bangladesh. Let us all hope for the best.