Prime Minister Tarique Rahman emphasized the necessity of balancing rapid industrial expansion with environmental conservation to transform the economic zones of Bangladesh into sustainable, modern, and investor-friendly hubs.

PM Tarique Rahman made the call while chairing a meeting of the Governing Board of the Bangladesh Economic Zones Authority (BEZA) at the Prime Minister's Office located in the Cabinet Division of the Bangladesh Secretariat on Monday.

During the session, the board adopted several key resolutions focused on expanding industrial zones, stimulating foreign and domestic investments, generating employment, and safeguarding ecological balance, according to Prime Minister's Deputy Press Secretary Md. Suzauddhowla Sujon Mahmud.

Detailing the green initiatives, Sujon Mahmud said that 125,000 trees will be planted across all Export Processing Zones (EPZs) nationwide as part of the government’s broader campaign to plant 25 crore trees.

He noted that this initiative is designed to expand green coverage, foster environmentally sustainable industrial zones, and maintain ecological equilibrium alongside industrial growth.

Sujon Mahmud further stated that the board reviewed the implementation status of decisions adopted during its previous session. Attendees evaluated proposals for setting up new economic zones, reviewed assessments of private economic zones, and examined strategies to maximize the utility of unutilized state-owned industrial properties.

Specifically, the meeting explored options for repurposing the land and existing facilities of Karim Jute Mills and Latif Bawany Jute Mills Limited in Narayanganj for fresh commercial activities.

According to the PM's Deputy Press Secretary, the board highlighted that establishing modern enterprises at these sites would attract local and international capital, create job opportunities, and energize the regional economy.

Additionally, he shared that participants deliberated on enforcing strict compliance with established rules regarding private economic zone applications and licensing, while also discussing the drafting of new regulatory policies for the sector.

The high-level meeting was attended by Finance Minister Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury, Industries and Textiles and Jute Minister Khandakar Abdul Muktadir, Environment, Forest and Climate Change Minister Abdul Awal Mintoo, Road Transport and Bridges, Railways, and Shipping Minister Shaikh Rabiul Alam, Labour and Employment Minister Ariful Haque Choudhury, and Bangladesh Investment Development Authority (BIDA) Executive Chairman Chowdhury Ashik Mahmud Bin Harun.