The official foundation stone of the country’s largest foreign investment-based industrial project ‘Chinese Economic and Industrial Zone’ (CEIZ) will be laid in Anwara, Chattogram on Monday (July 27). The project, a joint initiative of Bangladesh and China, is expected to open new prospects for the country’s industry and economy, including Chattogram.

Finance and Planning Minister Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury will be present as the chief guest at the colorful event. Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed will be present as the special guest.

President of China Road and Bridge Corporation (CRBC), Member of Parliament for Chattogram-13 (Anwara-Karnaphuli) constituency Sarwar Jamal Nizam, Chinese Ambassador to Bangladesh, Executive Chairman of Bangladesh Economic Zones Authority (BEZA), senior government officials and people related to domestic and foreign investment will also be present at the event.

The CEIZ is being built on about 783 acres of land on the eastern bank of the Karnaphuli River. The important phases of the foundation stone laying ceremony will include the signing of a historic sub-lease agreement, unveiling of the official slogan of the CEIZ, inauguration of the one-stop service and tree plantation program.

Recently, the Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (ECNEC) approved the supporting infrastructure development project of the CEIZ. A total of Tk 4,189 crore has been estimated to be spent on the implementation of the project between January 2027 and 2031 by the Bangladesh Economic Zones Authority (BEZA).

Of this, the government’s own financing is Tk 1,722 crore. In addition, Tk 2,467 crore will be financed as a loan under the Preferential Buyers’ Credit (PBC) facility of the Export-Import Bank of China.

Various important infrastructures including internal roads, power substations, water storage tanks, gas transmission facilities, and liquid waste treatment plants will be constructed under the project.

The CEIZ is developing in a very important geographical position due to its proximity to the Chattogram Port and Shah Amanat International Airport. Those concerned hope that at least 500 million US dollars of foreign direct investment (FDI) will be attracted to Anwara if the project is launched.

Not only investment, this project will create massive employment opportunities in the greater Chattogram region. It is expected that at least more than one lakh people will be directly and indirectly employed through the CEIZ.

Those concerned say that if the Chinese Economic and Industrial Zone is implemented, Chattogram will become stronger as a modern industrial, trade and logistics hub. In addition, this project will play an important role in deepening and multi-dimensionalizing Bangladesh-China economic relations.