Bangladesh - বঙ্গবন্ধু শেখ মুজিব শিল্পনগরী
The National Special Economic Zone (formerly Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Shilpa Nagar is one of the most suitable sites of Bangladesh for setting up industrial establishments. It is along the strategic location of Dhaka-Chattogram industrial corridor. In Chattogram division, business costs and the cost of living are significantly lower than those of the other competing cities of the world. Chattogram (Chittagong), is an attractive destination for setting up huge number of industries, commercial establishments and financial institutions.
The city has a high quality business friendly environment. At present, 30,000 acres are planned for the long term development of the area. National Special Economic Zone, the first planned city of the country, will pave the way for establishing a truly world-class business and industrial center. BEZA is in the process of developing a comprehensive master plan for developing this self-contained Industrial City including, incorporating a Seaport, Rail Connectivity, Residential Area, Tourism Park, Power Plant, Hospital and educational establishments.
Priority for National Special Economic Zone by interim government
The interim government, led by Professor Muhammad Yunus, has revised the previous plan to focus on 10 economic zones, instead of the 100 proposed by the former Awami League (AL) government. Among these, the National Special Economic Zone stands out as one of the key zones in the development strategy.
In the first phase, six zones, including the National Special Economic Zone, will be developed with essential utilities such as gas, electricity, and water, along with upgraded road infrastructure. The remaining four zones will follow after the initial phase. According to officials from the Bangladesh Economic Zones Authority (Beza), the zones include a mix of regional and specialized areas like the Srihatta Economic Zone, Japanese Economic Zone, and Maheshkhali Economic Zone, among others.
Additional Details for National Special Economic Zone
- Key industrial sectors: Garments & Garment Supporting Industries Agro-products and agro-processing products IntegratedTextiles Leather and leather products — Shipbuilding Motorbike Assembly
- Workforce: Planned 1,500,000 within 15 years
- Seaport: Chittagong Port 67 km
The National Special Economic Zone site is located 200 kilometers (km) from Dhaka, 60 km from Chattogram, 70 km from Chattogram Port and the Shah Amanat International Airport and 330 km from Sylhet. The Master Plan area is covered in the two districts, three upazilas, and 6 unions and comprised of 26 mouzas.
The estate has a total land area of 33,805 acres or 136.86 square kilometers (km2) (mostly reclaimed land) with a 25 km coastline along the Sandwip Channel in the Bay of Bengal. Land elevation on the site varies from the site’s lowest point at -3.33 meters (m) MSL to the highest point at +8.71m MSL.
Before development of the site was comprised of: i) 27.6% idle/barren lands, ii)31.65%mangroves/forest/vegetation, iii) 8.71% water bodies/canals and iv) 6.53% under development. The site location is a moderate to high monsoon climatic area with an average annual rainfall of 500mm. Average temperature on the site varies between 15-25 degrees Celsius annually.
Location of National Special Economic Zone
| District | Upazila | Union |
Chattogram Feni | Mirsarai | Saherkhali |
| Ichhakhali | ||
| Sitakunda | Muradpur | |
| Saidpur | ||
| Sonagazi | Sonagazi | |
| Char Chandina |
The value proposition:
- BSMSN is the flagship, ‘smart city/economic zone’ project for Bangladesh and a ‘game changer’ in economic zone design and development.
- To be the premier, international work, live, play location and an urban/industrial hub in South Asia.
- Strategically located for easy access to domestic and international markets.
- Offering a multi-modal transport and logistics platform incorporating a port, rail, roads and airport connectivity to reduce congestion, delays, costs and increase efficiencies as well as strengthen supply chains.
- Spearheading state-of-the-art, green and resilient infrastructure, utilities and technology to make BSMSN competitive, efficient, sustainable and resilient.
- Targeting innovative foreign and domestic investors.
- Promoting exports, clean industry/manufacturing, value addition production utilizing cutting-edge technology, and supporting new industry trends and enhanced creativity.
- Aids in transferring knowledge, technology and innovation to local entrepreneurs, professionals and workers
- Offering a safe and secure environment, which is monitored on a 24/7 basis for investors, residents, workers, and visitors
- Providing an OSS with streamlined and fast-tracked processes and procedures as well as after-care facilitation
- Offering a competitive labour pool with new types of professional, technical, skilled and unskilled jobs for Bangladeshi
The National Special Economic Zone Master Plan sets out:
i) land uses, ii) access and transport networks, iii) precinct boundaries and characteristics, iv) zoning and permitted uses, v) development guidelines, and iv) environmental and green resilient rules to follow when implementing the zone. The BSMSN site has been divided into 12 separate precincts, which have their own land uses. Although specific plots have not been assigned in the master plan (except for within the industrial areas), it is intended that real estate projects following the designated/assigned land uses and design guidelines will be constructed over time and sold/leased at competitive market rates. The precincts, (their land use and size) for BSMSN are identified below.
BSMSN Precincts by Size:
| No. | Precinct | Land Use Designation | Size in Acres | Size in % | |
| 1. | A | Residential and Support Amenities | 4,606.57 | 13.63 | |
| 2. | B | City Center/Business Hub | 1,732.91 | 5.13 | |
| 3. | C | Health and Education Center | 837.35 | 2.48 | |
| 4. | D | Mixed Use/Residential | 1,778.59 | 5.26 | |
| 5. | E | Administrative/Institutional Center | 880.68 | 2.61 | |
| 6. | F | Light/Medium Industrial Area | 10,043.12 | 29.71 | |
| 7. | G | Port and Logistics Hub | 1,802.29 | 5.32 | |
| 8. | H | Forest/Transitional Area | 1,778.75 | 5.26 | |
| 9. | I | Heavy Industrial Area | 3,956.35 | 11.70 | |
| 10. | J | Open Space | 5,980.42 | 17.69 | |
| 11. | K | Leisure/Entertainment Area | 350.89 | 1.04 | |
| 12. | L | Cultural Center | 56.85 | 0.17 | |
| Total Area4 | 33,804.76 | 100 | |||
BEZA’s Target
- Developed a planned Industrial City adjoining Mirsarai and Feni EZ on 33,805 acres of land;
- Employment for 1.5 million people within next 15 years
- Ensure $15 billion export from this industrial enclave
Potential Investment Sector
- Garments & Garment Supporting Industries
- Agro-products and agro-processing products
- IntegratedTextiles
- Leather and leather products —
- Shipbuilding
- Motorbike Assembly
- Food & Beverage
- Paint & Chemical
- Paper & Products
- Plastics
- Light engineering ( including auto-parts and bicycles)
- Pharmaceutical products
- Power
- Solar Park
Why National Special Economic Zone?
- Direct access to waterways
- Well connected with national highways
- Chittagong Sea andAir port only 67KM from the site
- Attractive of foreign investors
- Availability of hassle free land
- Comprehensive government initiative to ensure gas, electricity, sweet water, access road, railways and sea port.
- Potential Industrial Hub of Bangladesh
Major Highlights
- Fully government-owned
- Near to Chittagong port
- Vacant land, easy to initiate
- Offsite utility provisions
- Great potential for expansion
Detailed feasibility of the site is being conducted now. Please contact us later for more information.
Key Site Facts
| Criteria | Facts |
|---|---|
| Location | Mirsarai, Sitakunda, Sonagazi |
| Size (acre) | 33,804.76 |
| Ownership | Government |
| Connectivity | Well connected |
| Mirershorai | Seaside |
| Labor Source | Mixed |
| Closets Port | Chottogram |
BEPZA Economic Zone. The brand image of BEPZA will play an important role for flourishing investment in economic zone in quicker paces.
Commercial Production Begins at National Special Economic Zone
November 2023
Factories at Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Shilpa Nagar (BSMSN) in Mirsarai Economic Zone, Chattogram, have commenced commercial production. KPST Su (BD) Company Limited, a China-owned entity, is among the first to start exports, with an initial shipment of EVA sheets for shoe-making materials. The company has invested $3.48 million, with more to come. Other companies like Nippon Steel, McDonald Steel, Asian Paints, Samuda Food, and Marico have also begun production, contributing to the employment target of 7,52,593 people set for the area.