Govt following zero tolerance policy to ensure security for investors: Home Minister

Investment cannot be attracted unless the desired improvement in the country's law and order situation is achieved, said the Home Minister. He stated that a stable environment and security are the primary conditions for both domestic and foreign investment. The government is working on a 'zero tolerance' policy to ensure this security.

He made the remarks while responding to questions from journalists after the formal inauguration of the development work of the Chinese Economic and Industrial Zone (CEIZ) in Anwara, Chattogram, on Monday (July 27).

The Home Minister said a strong law and order situation is the foundation of sustainable economic growth and industrialisation in any country. Investors want to deploy their capital in a safe and conducive environment. If there is even the slightest concern about the security of life and property, domestic entrepreneurs will not invest, let alone foreign investors.

Assuring security in the special economic zones, the minister said special measures have been taken for the overall security of all economic zones, including CEIZ. Apart from the Industrial Police, other law enforcement agencies are also highly active in maintaining law and order in industrial areas. No sabotage will be tolerated.

The inauguration ceremony was attended by Finance and Planning Minister Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury as the chief guest.

Others present at the event included Bangladesh-China Economic Zone Chairman Wang Benqian, China Road and Bridge Corporation (CRBC) Vice President Li Changgui, Chinese Ambassador H E Yao Wen, BEZA Executive Chairman Ashik Chowdhury, Land and Hill Affairs State Minister Mir Helal Uddin, and Chattogram-13 MP Sarwar Jamal Nizam, along with other local MPs from Chattogram.

Concerned stakeholders believe that once the Anwara special economic zone becomes fully operational, it will attract a huge amount of foreign investment and create employment opportunities for lakhs of people at the local level. However, experts believe there is no alternative to maintaining a normal and stable law and order situation to turn this vast potential into reality.