Bangladesh has officially announced the cancellation of the Indian Economic Zone project planned in Chattogram, taking a major strategic and economic decision that reflects a shift in national priorities.
According to authorities, the site will now be used to establish a new Defence Economic Zone aimed at expanding the country’s military and defence industrial capacity.
Bangladeshi officials stated that the decision is intended to strengthen the defence production sector and better address national security requirements, making defence industries a key component of the country’s future economic and strategic planning.
The Executive Chairman of the Bangladesh Economic Zones Authority, Chowdhury Ashiq Mahmood Bin Harun, shared details of the decision during a press conference in Dhaka. He confirmed that the plan to establish an Indian Economic Zone in Chattogram has been formally scrapped and that the allocated land will now be utilized for the development of defence and military industries.
According to Chowdhury Ashiq Mahmood, the decision was taken during a recent meeting of the BEZA governing board, where the country’s long-term economic needs and defence priorities were thoroughly reviewed. He said Bangladesh aims to move towards self-reliance in military and defence industries in order to strengthen national defence and advance in modern defence technologies.
He added that the establishment of a Defence Economic Zone is expected to boost local production of arms, defence equipment, and related technologies, while also creating new employment opportunities. Officials believe the project could prove to be a significant milestone for both the national economy and national security.
Experts say that the cancellation of the Indian Economic Zone and the move toward a Defence Economic Zone reflects changing geopolitical dynamics in the region and Bangladesh’s evolving strategic priorities. Some analysts view the step as part of broader efforts to reinforce Bangladesh’s defence autonomy.
Authorities further stated that details regarding the framework of the Defence Economic Zone, investment opportunities, and implementation mechanisms will be announced soon, while close attention is being paid to the potential economic and defence-related impacts of the decision across the region.
