Only 10 economic zones (EZs) have become operational since the Bangladesh Economic Zones Authority (Beza) rolled out its massive industrialisation plan in 2015, raising questions about whether its goal of setting up 100 enclaves will be materialised on time.

Another 21 factories being set up in Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Shilpa Nagar (BSMSN) in Mirsharai upazila of Chattogram are set to go into commercial production from September.

Developers of a number of private economic zones are finding it hard to implement plans for a lack of gas connections.

Bangladesh has acquired a several thousand square kilometres of new land over the last four decades, owing largely to deltas forming on major rivers and in the coastal areas.