KEPZ starts allocation of plots

Karnaphuli Export Processing Zone at Patenga (inset). PHOTO: STAR

The Karnaphuli EPZ, 8th state-owned export processing zone in the country, developed 100 plots on 74 acres of land under the first phase of the project involving Tk 34 crore.

Bangladesh Export Processing Zone Authority (Bepza) is implementing the project in two phases on some 222 acres of land at Patenga area in the port city.

The land of the closed down Chittagong Steel Mills Limited was handed over to Bepza for setting up the second EPZ in Chittagong on April 1 last year.

Infrastructure development and preparation of the plots started under the first phase financed by the government immediately after handing over of the land.

The Bepza authorities completed preparation of the plots, developed drainage system and infrastructure for T&T service, sources said.

A deep tube-well with the production capacity of 200 cubic metres of water per hour has also been installed.

Development of 80 per cent of the infrastructure required for providing other utility services like water, power and gas has been completed so far under the first phase that would expire on June 30.

To complete the remaining development of infrastructure the authorities will have to get the tenure of the first phase extended until October, engineers said.

Ataul Hoque, project director of KEPZ, said the EPZ has attracted a huge number of intended investors from home and abroad since the EPZ is located in a suitable place adjoining to Chittagong port and Chittagong airport.

Over 150 investors have submitted applications against 100 plots so far, of which, 37 have already been allocated, Ataul said.

The entrepreneurs and investors who got the allotment are 16 from Taiwan, 14 from Sri Lanka, two from Thailand and the rest are locals, he said.

He said allocation of the rest 63 plots will also be made within the next few months and the investors will be able to set up industrial units on them within a year.

"But, if the investors, who got the plots, want to start setting up of industrial units and go for operation immediately we will have to make arrangement for services like medical services and education," Ataul added.

"So we are thinking of proposing another project for developing the facilities which are not included in the first phase of the project," he said.

Tenure of the first phase requires to be extended for setting up of 11 KV substation, which is yet to be started.

The sub-station will convert and distribute power from the main supply line of Power Development Board (PDB), said the sources.

Executive Engineer Mohammad Mizanur Rahman said they will start work to set up the substation immediately after arrival of the imported transformer to complete it by October.

Bepza will develop infrastructure and 120 more plots on the 148 acres of land under the second phase of the project with the financial assistance of the World Bank.

World Bank will provide 80 per cent of Tk 50 crore for implementation of the project under the second phase and the government will bear the remaining 20 per cent, sources said.