Bangladesh\’s economic zones look forward to launching four tech centers in the country. The initiative includes installing new technologies to boost export earnings. One tech center is to be inaugurated at Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Shilpa Nagar in Chattogram and the other at Bangabandhu Hi-Tech City in Gazipur.
EC4J Signed two lease agreements+
On Tuesday, the Export Competitiveness for Jobs (EC4J) signed a contract with Bangladesh\’s Economic Zones Authority (BEZA). Another such agreement was ratified between EC4J & Bangladesh Hi-Tech Park Authority (BHTPA).
Moreover, Md Abdul Mannan, BEZA executive member signed deals on behalf of his organization. ANM Safiqul Islam, BHTPA director, and Md Obaidul Azam, EC4J project director sealed the word on behalf of their respective organization.
Additionally, the rest of the members joined a virtual meeting, chaired by commerce secretary Dr. Md Jafar Uddin. Commerce Minister Tipu Munshi was the chief guest. State minister for ICT, Zunaid Ahmed Palak, and PM\’s adviser over industry and investment, Salman F Rahman joined in as special guests.
Resource allocation for the project
Similarly, the agreement refers to 10-acre land allocation at Shilpa Nagar. Also, a 4.04-acre land at the Hi-Tech City is available to the EC4J project. The commerce minister Mr. Munshi said that the project will yield economic benefits. He added that deploying technology is the only way to attain economic goals.
He acknowledged the potential of export-oriented sectors like the apparel industry.
\”Excepting RMG (ready-made garment), no other sector has so far crossed the billion-dollar milestone, but it\’s imperative to promote other sectors,\” he added. Leather, plastics, footwear, and light-engineering sector are aimed for under the project. The goal includes the successful positioning of the following sectors in international trade.
Bottlenecks in the economy
Furthermore, Bangladesh calls for a need for a diversified export basket, says Adviser Mr. Rahman. The country falls short of internationally accredited laboratories. \”International testing laboratories in Bangladesh can only examine level-1 and level-2 gowns at present, but no lab for testing masks and higher standard gowns.\” He remarked.
He apprised the government efforts towards improving the world bank ease-of-doing-business index.
