Dhaka, Bangladesh (BBN)- Bangladesh’s readymade garment makers have planned to build an apparel zone in Chittagong to enhance the overall export earnings with ensuring modern facilities, industry leaders said.
The Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA), the apparel makers' apex body, is scheduled to sign a 40-year agreement with Chittagong City Corporation (CCC) on Sunday to implement the project in the port city's Kalurghat area.
Chittagong City Corporation (CCC) Mayor AJM Nasir Uddin and BGMEA President Md Siddiqur Rahman will be present, the BGMEA said.
The zone will be established on 10.36 acres and house 11 multi-storied buildings and they will have a floor space of 132,000,0 square feet with modern facilities. Some 30 to 35 factories could be shifted there.
The planned Chittagong Apparel Zone will provide the BGMEA members with the opportunity to modernise factories with state-of-the-art facilities.
There are 700 garment factories in Chittagong, while about 40 per cent of them need relocation mainly to meet the safety compliance, according to industry-people.
Chittagong is a region blessed with potentials for its unique geographical location. More than 90 per cent of the country's export-import activities are routed via the Chittagong Port, the nation's prime sea facility.
Factories established in Chittagong have an edge over others due to proximity to the port, according to the industry people said.
Initially, the interested members have to bear the cost of the zone, while the CCC will implement the project, a BGMEA leader said adding the zone is expected to be established within next two and a half years.
BBN/SSR/AD