Bangladesh outlined plans for its first free trade zone on 600 to 650 acres in Anwara, Chattogram, aiming to support storage, manufacturing and re-export operations without standard customs procedures. Officials said the concept is inspired by Dubai’s Jebel Ali Free Zone, which spans more than 14,000 acres.
The zone will be open to domestic and foreign investors and function as a de facto overseas territory to help companies address time-to-market challenges, Bangladesh Economic Zones Authority executive chairman Ashik Chowdhury said.
He said implementation will require amendments to eight laws and regulations, including customs and foreign exchange rules. The next government is expected to oversee those changes, with authorities hoping for a functional launch by the end of the year.