Construction has commenced on the 800-acre Chinese Economic and Industrial Zone (CEIZ) in Anwara, Chattogram. To be developed jointly by the Bangladesh Economic Zones Authority (BEZA) holding a 30 per cent equity stake and China Road and Bridge Corporation (CRBC) holding 70 per cent, the flagship initiative targets $500 million in direct foreign investment.

The project fundamentally alters Bangladesh’s ready-made garment (RMG) ecosystem by establishing domestic production of synthetic fabrics, technical textiles, and garment accessories. Currently dependent on imported raw materials for over 60 per cent of woven apparel production, Bangladeshi manufacturers face elevated freight expenses and extended shipping schedules. Localizing Chinese fabric mills within Chattogram is projected to compress order fulfillment cycles by 10 to 15 days.

Infrastructure integration enhances export competitiveness

Supported by a Tk 4,189 crore government infrastructure package, the industrial zone incorporates a 20,000-deadweight-tonne multipurpose jetty, four-lane access highways, and a 25-million-litre daily capacity central effluent treatment plant. Positioned near the Karnaphuli Tunnel and Chittagong Port, the zone resolves longstanding logistics bottlenecks for high-value activewear and outerwear manufacturing.

Producing primary raw materials within Chattogram directly lowers landed costs, states SM Abu Tayyab, Director, Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association. This upstream integration safeguards buyer margins and fortifies regional competitiveness.

Strengthening Bangladesh’s export capacity

Initiated under a 2014 bilateral memorandum, the 800-acre Anwara economic zone is a government-to-government manufacturing enclave focused on advanced textiles, electronics, and pharmaceuticals. Designed to generate 100,000 jobs and attract $500 million in foreign capital, the project targets 60 per cent factory plot readiness within three years to strengthen Bangladesh's export capacity.