Bangladesh’s largest economic zone has only 16 operating enterprises

Bangladesh’s largest industrial zone remains largely vacant a decade after its launch, with infrastructure delays and unreliable utilities hindering investment, according to reporting by The Business Standard.

Official figures show only 16 enterprises at the National Special Economic Zone (NSEZ) had begun commercial production as of Sept. 8, while 15 others were under construction.

The zone spans 33,000 acres in Chattogram, but only 5,500 acres have been developed. Direct employment stands at about 8,000, compared with a target of 238,000 jobs by 2026.

Investors cited delayed land handovers, electricity shortages, unreliable water supplies, and inadequate worker housing. Authorities said housing was under construction and a water treatment plant’s first phase was scheduled for March 2027.

Invest Bangladesh chairman Ashik Chowdhury acknowledged that the project was overly ambitious and that national energy shortages would take time to resolve.