By Al-Amin Shahriar

BHOLA, Aug 29, 2025 (BSS) - Fueled by its rich natural gas reserves, Bhola, the country's only deltaic island detached from the mainland, is fast becoming a magnet for industrial growth and employment.

The district's nine productive gas wells have sparked a wave of investment, drawing both domestic industrial giants and foreign enterprises eager to capitalize on the energy bounty. 

Local conglomerates are already setting up manufacturing plants, while Chinese firms, backed by international capital, have secured expansive plots in Shibpur Union to launch large-scale operations.

This surge in industrial activity is reshaping Bhola's economic landscape, transforming the once quiet riverine district into a thriving hub of opportunity. 

With gas at the center of this transformation, Bhola is poised to become a model of energy-driven development in the south.

Kazi Group has already established a feed production factory beside the Kheyaghat road in the district headquarters, distributing their products nationwide. 

Besides, Shelltech Company set up a large tile manufacturing plant five years ago in West Elisha on the outskirts of the town. Deputy General Manager of Shelltech Md. Shafqat Hossain said they produce international-standard tiles using gas-fired systems, meeting domestic demand and exporting abroad.

On the other hand, in Bheduria area, Urmi Group is actively developing its factory complex over a vast area, while Pran-RFL has acquired extensive land in the same union and is running production across multiple factories. 

Moreover, numerous small and medium industries have also sprung up in the existing BSCIC industrial zone. With government support, a gas-based urea fertilizer plant is also in the pipeline, and the district administration has confirmed that a coordination committee has been formed for land acquisition in this regard.

Spanning 3,403.48 square kilometers, Bhola is home to 2.2 million people. The development of gas-based industries has not only benefitted the companies but has also created employment for thousands of unemployed youths and women in the district.

Sources said that over 3,000 men and women are now employed in the newly established factories. Many of these youths, once burdened with joblessness and despair, have become productive, self-reliant citizens, bringing light into previously struggling households and smiles to their parents' faces.

China expressed interest in Bhola's industrial potential more than a decade ago. Targeting Meghna river, adjacent areas of Shibpur union, Chinese companies have acquired hundreds of acres of land and are in the process of acquiring even more.

Recently, a Chinese delegation visiting Bangladesh announced plans to establish a Free Trade Zone in Bhola. If implemented, this initiative is expected to revive the economy of the southern region and connect Bhola's products to the global market in an entirely new dimension.

Vice President of the China Free Trade Zone and Export Processing Zone Association Pan Li said that the zone will be developed in collaboration with the Bangladesh Economic Zones Authority (BEZA). He said this will open new export opportunities for Bangladeshi agricultural products, fishery items, handicrafts and other locally produced goods.

The delegation also visited the Bhola Island Industrial Park, a seafood processing plant in Chattogram and the proposed seafood processing park in Cox's Bazar. They especially highlighted the strong potential for Bangladeshi rice, fruits, fish and other agro-products in the Chinese market. To this end, plans are in place to boost exports through both online and offline platforms.

The Chinese delegation also informed Bhola's district administration that work is underway to establish a Bangladesh National Pavilion in Chengdu, China, to showcase Bangladesh's culture and premium products in the global marketplace.

Meanwhile, the interim government has granted permission to China to establish an economic zone in Bhola. Development will be undertaken by Leez Fashion Industries Ltd, a Chinese investor already involved in Bangladesh's garments, textiles, and other sectors.

A meeting of the Bangladesh Economic Zones Authority (BEZA), with the Chief Adviser in the chair, has recently approved the establishment of a new economic zone in Bhola. The project has been named "Bhola Eco-Development Economic Zone".

According to officials, one of the major challenges in the country's industrial sector is the ongoing gas crisis. However, Bhola possesses significant gas reserves, making it an ideal location for industrial expansion. Moreover, the zone is expected to create employment opportunities for over one hundred thousand people in the southern region, while an investment of US$ 1 billion is anticipated. 

According to related sources, Leez Fashion Industries, a Chinese investment firm, will undertake development of the zone. The company already has active investments in Bangladesh's garments, textile and other sectors.

Officials said that the economic zone in Bhola has been sanctioned to unlock new possibilities in the southern region. It will initially be established on 102.46 acres of land in Bhola Sadar Upazila, with plans to expand to 158 acres. The zone will be an environmentally friendly, labor-intensive, agro-based industrial area.

The zone will host factories for fish processing, meat processing, dairy production and various agriculture-industrial ventures. As per the master plan, 40 industrial units will be established, creating both direct and indirect employment for hundreds of thousands.

Deputy Commissioner of Bhola Md. Azad Jahan told BSS that considering the pace at which domestic and foreign companies are investing in this gas-rich district, Bhola is on track to become the "Singapore of the South" within a very short span of time. 

He expressed firm optimism that no youth in Bhola will remain unemployed and that the unfolding industrial revolution will bring about a sweeping transformation in the district's overall landscape.