Photo: Collected

CHATTOGRAM, July 26, 2026 (BSS) - After an interruption of over ten years, the construction of the China Economic and Industrial Zone (CEIZ) is going to officially begin at Anwara tomorrow.
 
Foundation stone for the project will be laid tomorrow, signifying the start of a new phase of country's one of the largest foreign investment driven industrial zones.

In 2014, Bangladesh and China signed a memorandum of understanding regarding the project. The land acquisition process was completed in 2016. 
 
However, the initiation of the project was delayed due to various administrative hurdles. 

The project received renewed impetus following Prime Minister Tarique Rahman's recent visit to China. At that time agreement was signed between BEZA and China Road and Bridge Corporation (CRBC) for the project.

On June 16 last the Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (ECNEC) approved the project.

This industrial zone will be established on approximately 800 acres of land located in the Belchura area of Anwara, at the confluence of the Karnaphuli River.

The foundation stone laying ceremony for the project will be attended by Finance Minister Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury, Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed, Chinese Ambassador to Bangladesh Yao Wen, and BEZA Executive Chairman Chowdhury Ashique Mahmud Bin Harun. 
 
According to the Bangladesh Economic Zone Authority (BEZA), this economic zone is being developed through government-to-government (G-to-G) management. 

The estimated cost of the project is Taka 4,189.46 crore, out of which Taka 1,722 crore will be given by government financing and Taka 2,467 crore will be provided through a Preferential Buyers Credit (PBC) loan from China's Exim Bank. 

Amirul Haque, President of the Chattogram Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCCI), said the specialized economic zone for Chinese industrial enterprises will further bolster the economic partnership between Bangladesh and China.