West Bengal wants to invest in Bangladeshi economic zones

Businesses from India's West Bengal have showed interest to invest in the economic zones of Bangladesh in different fields, including jewellery industry.

Officials of the Bengal Chamber of Commerce and Industry, a trade body of India's Kolkata, expressed the interest to invest in different sectors, including manufacturing, engineering, energy, electricity, IT, skilled manpower, modern agricultural management and shipbuilding.

They shared the message in a meeting with Sheikh Yusuf Harun, executive chairman of Bangladesh Economic Zones Authority (Beza), at Beza's office.

A 20-member team of the Bengal Chamber is currently in Bangladesh on a 5-day tour to assess trade potential of the economic zones.

Mohammad Hasan Arif, general manager (administration) of Beza, came up with a power point presentation in the meeting showcasing new business activities of Beza.

India is working to set up two economic zones -- one in Mongla and the other inside Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Shilpa Nagar in Chattogram, Beza's executive chairman said.

Several Indian companies such as Asian Paints, Marico and Sakata have already invested in Bangladeshi economic zones, he said.

The Indian trade body has also exchanged their views with the officials of Bangladesh's commerce and post and telecom ministries and Bangladesh Investment Development Authority along with local business organisations in Dhaka and Chattogram.