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Licences of 10 of a slew of economic zones-five public and as many private-have been rescinded as the interim government recasts Bangladesh's industrial- development strategy.
Chowdhury Ashik Mahmud Bin Harun, the newly appointed Executive Chairman of both the Bangladesh Investment Development Authority (BIDA) and the Bangladesh Economic Zones Authority (BEZA), announced the decision at a press conference held Sunday at the Foreign Service Academy in Dhaka.
He said the move was approved during a recent meeting with the chief adviser of the post-uprising government that has undertaken umpteen reforms in the country following the changeover.
The government-run zones that lost their licences are Sonadia Eco Tourism Park in Cox's Bazar, Sundarban Tourism in Bagerhat, Gajaria Economic Zone in Munshiganj, Shreepur Economic Zone in Gazipur, and Mymensingh Economic Zone in Ishwarganj.
The five private zones are BGMEA-proposed Garment Industries Park in Munshiganj, Chatak Economic Zone in Sunamganj, Famkam Economic Zone in Bagerhat, City Special Economic Zone in Dhaka, and Sonargaon Economic Zone in Narayanganj.
Chowdhury points out that Beza had previously approved a total of 97 economic zones-68 under the public sector and 29 private-during the tenure of the previous government.
"I have said before that the country does not need 100 economic zones. Today, we have cancelled 10. We believe these are unnecessary," he states to justify the axing of the dormant EZs.
He also emphasises that moving forward, no new economic zone will be approved without an inter-ministerial meeting and a formal commitment from relevant ministries to ensure adequate service delivery to investors.
"Currently, zones are approved, but investors often wait years without receiving proper services," he told the press.
The announcement happens to come in the wake of the recently concluded Bangladesh Investment Summit 2025, which drew significant international attention. The summit, held over four days, hosted more than 3,500 participants, including 415 foreign delegates from 50 countries. It featured 130 speakers and panelists, and facilitated around 150 official meetings.
Two companies-Handa Industry and ShopUp-announced investment plans totalling Tk31 billion. Six memorandums of understanding (MoUs) were signed during the summit.
According to BIDA's Head of Business Development Nahiyan Rahman Rochi, the total government expenditure for the event stood at Tk14.5 million-42 per cent less than the original budget estimate.
Chowdhury, however, cautioned against judging the summit's success solely by the immediate investment figures.
"No one comes to a summit and writes a cheque for a billion. Much of the preparatory work had been done earlier," he explains.
He stresses that the summit's real achievement was in altering foreign perceptions of Bangladesh. "Visitors often return home with outdated or negative views. This time, they'll be able to share a more accurate and positive picture of the country," he said.
Foreign delegates were taken on site visits and introduced to investment opportunities across sectors. "We've explained where and how to invest. The feedback has been overwhelmingly positive," says Chowdhury on an upbeat note, adding that Bida and Beza would continue to follow up with interested investors to maintain momentum.
He also recommends that future governments organise similar events on a regular basis to sustain global interest in Bangladesh's investment landscape.
To a question, he said as India scrapped transshipment, Bangladesh takes it as an opportunity. "We will develop our airports and strengthen capacity, increase efficiency to ship the goods from different airports, including Dhaka airport," he added.
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