A delegation from the Japan International Cooperation Agency (Jica) has visited a proposed economic zone site covering around 800 acres of land along the Meghna River in Lakshmipur.
Led by additional secretary and member of Invest Bangladesh Saleh Ahmed, officials from the water resources ministry, the district administration, the Roads and Highways Department and the land administration also took part in the visit on 7 November.
The proposed site is located in Burirghat, Ward 9, of Char Ramanimohan Union under Lakshmipur Sadar upazila. A large portion of the land is government-owned khas property.
During the visit, the delegation assessed the area’s geographical location, land characteristics, road and river connectivity, and its suitability for industrial development.
Engineer Nahiduzzaman, a regional official of the Bangladesh Water Development Board and a member of the visiting team, said the site is bordered by the Meghna River to the west.
Majuchowdhuryhat, where plans are underway to develop a river port, lies to the north. Motirhat launch terminal in Kamalnagar and Alexander Meghnaghat are located to the south.
“The location could offer significant advantages for transporting industrial raw materials and finished goods by river, while road links include the Lakshmipur-Majuchowdhuryhat and Torabganj-Motirhat roads, as well as the embankment road connecting Motirhat with Alexander.
The Meghna route could also provide access to Chattogram seaport, Payra and the river port in Chandpur,” he said.
The latest initiative has revived a proposal dating back to 2016, when the Bangladesh Economic Zones Authority (Beza) identified around 1,300 acres in Madhya Char Ramani, Uttar Char Ramani and Char Ali Hasan for an economic zone. The plan made little progress, with complications over land ownership and implementation feasibility.
In April, Water Resources Minister and Lakshmipur-3 MP Shahid Uddin Chowdhury Anee visited the area and said the government was planning an agriculture-based economic zone near Majuchowdhuryhat.
He said improved connectivity between Majuchowdhuryhat and Motirhat could make Lakshmipur an important transport hub linking Barishal, Bhola, Chandpur, Noakhali and Cumilla.
Local residents and entrepreneurs see potential for agro-processing, food manufacturing, cold storage, packaging, fish processing and export-oriented industries. Warehousing, logistics and transport services could also develop around the river route.
A 2025 government task force report listed 97 approved economic zones nationwide, including 68 public and 29 private ones. Neighbouring Noakhali, Chandpur and Bhola have seen economic zone initiatives. Lakshmipur, however, remains outside the country’s approved economic zone network.
If the feasibility assessment and subsequent administrative processes are completed successfully, the proposed zone could help connect Lakshmipur’s agriculture- and fisheries-based economy with industry, trade and exports.
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