850 acres of land allocated in Mirsarai for defence industrial zone

The government has decided to allocate approximately 850 acres of land in Mirsarai, Chattogram, to establish a defence industrial zone, aiming to build domestic capacity and capitalise on growing opportunities in the global defence manufacturing market.

The decision was announced on Monday by Bangladesh Investment Development Authority executive chairman Ashik Chowdhury at a press conference held at the Foreign Service Academy.

Earlier, a meeting of the Bangladesh Economic Zones Authority governing board was held under the chairmanship of Chief Adviser Professor Dr Muhammad Yunus.

Ashik Chowdhury said the BEZA board has taken a policy decision to include the land as a designated defence industrial zone in its master plan.

The land had remained vacant and was previously allocated to an Indian economic zone until June last year, before the project was cancelled.

Clarifying the initiative, Ashik Chowdhury said the goal is not to replicate the Bangladesh Ordnance Factories model through multiple state-owned factories. Instead, emphasis will be placed on technology transfer and joint ventures with foreign partners, with scope for private sector participation in later phases.

Citing recent global conflicts, he said shortages of basic military equipment are more common than advanced platforms, highlighting the necessity of domestic production capacity.

He said the industrial zone will be developed in phases under a long-term plan, with only a limited area likely to be used in the first five years rather than the entire 850 acres.

Declining to disclose potential partner countries or specific products due to diplomatic sensitivities, he expressed optimism that the project would continue regardless of political changes, stating that defence industrial capability is a national priority.