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The government has scrapped the Indian Economic Zone project in Mirsarai, Chattogram, and Mongla, Bagerhat after years of inactivity and lack of response from India.
Chowdhury Ashik Mahmud Bin Harun, executive chairman of the Bangladesh Investment Development Authority (Bida) and the Bangladesh Economic Zones Authority (Beza), told The Business Standard, "The Indian Economic Zone has been removed from the G2G framework."
He said, "The discussions around the Indian Economic Zone were mostly preliminary or conceptual. Land had been identified for the zone, and there were talks about which contractor might be assigned to carry out the work, but no formal agreement or contract was ever signed with any contractor."
Explaining the current status of the project, Ashik Mahmud said, "A project was taken up to establish the Indian Economic Zone in Mirsarai, but no progress was made. The project's tenure ended in June, and the line of credit (LoC) funding that was supposed to support it has already been cancelled."
Regarding future plans for the land allocated for the Indian zone, he added, "We will use the land for other purposes, but no final decision has been made yet."
Earlier, Bangladesh had sent multiple letters to India seeking its consent to invite international tenders for the land development work, but no response came. The project is now effectively scrapped.
The previous government had planned to establish two Indian Economic Zones — one in Mirsarai, Chattogram, and another in Mongla, Bagerhat — under Beza's authority. These were to be G2G projects implemented under India's concessional line of credit (LoC). A memorandum of understanding (MoU) between the two countries was signed in 2015, and Bangladesh allocated 900 acres in Mirsarai and 110 acres in Mongla for the zones.
In 2019, the Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (Ecnec) approved the Mirsarai Indian Economic Zone project, which included land development, access roads, an administrative building, and utility infrastructure at an estimated cost of Tk965 crore, of which Tk915 crore was expected from India's LoC.
However, during the LoC review meeting held in Dhaka on 5-6 March 2024, both countries agreed that projects which had been approved but not implemented would be delisted from the LoC. As a result, both the Mirsarai and Mongla Indian Economic Zone projects have now been delisted.
According to Beza data, from inception to June 2024, only Tk6.03 crore (around 1% of the total cost) was spent, including Tk3.48 crore from the government and Tk2.55 crore from project assistance.
Beza had issued tender documents in August 2023 to two shortlisted Indian companies — Adani Ports and SEZ Ltd and International Seaport Dredging Pvt Ltd — but neither submitted bids.
Under India's LoC terms, the land development work had to be carried out by an Indian contractor, and 65% of materials had to be sourced from India — conditions that discouraged participation.
In 2022, Beza and Adani Ports and SEZ Ltd signed a term sheet for a development agreement, but the final developer agreement was never concluded. Other activities, including the formation of a company to operate the zone, did not progress either.
During the sixth meeting of the India-Bangladesh Joint Working Group (JWG) on Indian Economic Zones, held in New Delhi on 23 April 2024, Bangladesh requested India's consent to allow Bangladeshi contractors to participate in re-tendering alongside Indian firms, but India did not agree.
Md Mokhlesur Rahman, former project director and now an executive member of Bida, said, "There has been no significant progress. Bangladesh did everything required from its side, but there was no response from India. No Indian contractor showed interest in land development."
He added, "We requested that both Indian and Bangladeshi firms be allowed to participate, but India did not agree. We also proposed that contractors be allowed to source project materials more flexibly, but India declined."
Mustafizur Rahman, distinguished fellow at the Centre for Policy Dialogue (CPD), told The Business Standard, "The Indian Economic Zone was to be developed under India's LoC, where Bangladeshi contractors could not participate, and Indian firms were not interested. As there has been no progress, the land cannot just sit idle."
Several Indian companies have already invested in other economic zones in Bangladesh. Among them, Asian Paints Ltd has invested $26 million, Ramky Enviro Pty Ltd $10 million, and Marico Bangladesh Ltd $26.72 million in the National Special Economic Zone (NSEZ), while Sakata Inx Pvt Ltd invested $2.13 million in the Meghna Industrial Economic Zone.
www.tbsnews.net
- Bangladesh scraps Indian Economic Zone projects in Mirsarai and Mongla
- India showed no response despite repeated requests from Bangladesh
- Projects delisted from India's Line of Credit after review
- Only 1% of project funds were spent before cancellation
- Indian contractors showed no interest; tender bids went unsubmitted
- Bangladesh plans to repurpose the allocated land for other uses
The government has scrapped the Indian Economic Zone project in Mirsarai, Chattogram, and Mongla, Bagerhat after years of inactivity and lack of response from India.
Chowdhury Ashik Mahmud Bin Harun, executive chairman of the Bangladesh Investment Development Authority (Bida) and the Bangladesh Economic Zones Authority (Beza), told The Business Standard, "The Indian Economic Zone has been removed from the G2G framework."
He said, "The discussions around the Indian Economic Zone were mostly preliminary or conceptual. Land had been identified for the zone, and there were talks about which contractor might be assigned to carry out the work, but no formal agreement or contract was ever signed with any contractor."
Explaining the current status of the project, Ashik Mahmud said, "A project was taken up to establish the Indian Economic Zone in Mirsarai, but no progress was made. The project's tenure ended in June, and the line of credit (LoC) funding that was supposed to support it has already been cancelled."
Regarding future plans for the land allocated for the Indian zone, he added, "We will use the land for other purposes, but no final decision has been made yet."
Earlier, Bangladesh had sent multiple letters to India seeking its consent to invite international tenders for the land development work, but no response came. The project is now effectively scrapped.
The previous government had planned to establish two Indian Economic Zones — one in Mirsarai, Chattogram, and another in Mongla, Bagerhat — under Beza's authority. These were to be G2G projects implemented under India's concessional line of credit (LoC). A memorandum of understanding (MoU) between the two countries was signed in 2015, and Bangladesh allocated 900 acres in Mirsarai and 110 acres in Mongla for the zones.
In 2019, the Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (Ecnec) approved the Mirsarai Indian Economic Zone project, which included land development, access roads, an administrative building, and utility infrastructure at an estimated cost of Tk965 crore, of which Tk915 crore was expected from India's LoC.
However, during the LoC review meeting held in Dhaka on 5-6 March 2024, both countries agreed that projects which had been approved but not implemented would be delisted from the LoC. As a result, both the Mirsarai and Mongla Indian Economic Zone projects have now been delisted.
According to Beza data, from inception to June 2024, only Tk6.03 crore (around 1% of the total cost) was spent, including Tk3.48 crore from the government and Tk2.55 crore from project assistance.
Beza had issued tender documents in August 2023 to two shortlisted Indian companies — Adani Ports and SEZ Ltd and International Seaport Dredging Pvt Ltd — but neither submitted bids.
Under India's LoC terms, the land development work had to be carried out by an Indian contractor, and 65% of materials had to be sourced from India — conditions that discouraged participation.
In 2022, Beza and Adani Ports and SEZ Ltd signed a term sheet for a development agreement, but the final developer agreement was never concluded. Other activities, including the formation of a company to operate the zone, did not progress either.
During the sixth meeting of the India-Bangladesh Joint Working Group (JWG) on Indian Economic Zones, held in New Delhi on 23 April 2024, Bangladesh requested India's consent to allow Bangladeshi contractors to participate in re-tendering alongside Indian firms, but India did not agree.
Md Mokhlesur Rahman, former project director and now an executive member of Bida, said, "There has been no significant progress. Bangladesh did everything required from its side, but there was no response from India. No Indian contractor showed interest in land development."
He added, "We requested that both Indian and Bangladeshi firms be allowed to participate, but India did not agree. We also proposed that contractors be allowed to source project materials more flexibly, but India declined."
Mustafizur Rahman, distinguished fellow at the Centre for Policy Dialogue (CPD), told The Business Standard, "The Indian Economic Zone was to be developed under India's LoC, where Bangladeshi contractors could not participate, and Indian firms were not interested. As there has been no progress, the land cannot just sit idle."
Several Indian companies have already invested in other economic zones in Bangladesh. Among them, Asian Paints Ltd has invested $26 million, Ramky Enviro Pty Ltd $10 million, and Marico Bangladesh Ltd $26.72 million in the National Special Economic Zone (NSEZ), while Sakata Inx Pvt Ltd invested $2.13 million in the Meghna Industrial Economic Zone.
Govt scraps Indian Economic Zones as project stalls
Earlier, Bangladesh had sent multiple letters to India seeking its consent to invite international tenders for the land development work, but no response came. The project is now effectively scrapped
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On a moonless Thursday evening, the Teesta River blazed not with fire, but with hope.
At exactly 6:30pm on October 16, over 1,00,000 people lined both banks of the mighty Teesta across 11 locations in Lalmonirhat, holding aloft flickering torches in a powerful, silent spectacle: “Jago Bahe, Teesta Banchai”—Awake, O Brethren, Let’s Save the Teesta.
This was no ordinary rally. It was a river-wide vigil, a luminous plea for life, livelihood, and justice, demanding the immediate launch of the long-pending Teesta Mega Project, a critical initiative to regulate water flow, prevent droughts, and revive agriculture in northern Bangladesh.
Organised by the grassroots “Jago Bahe Teesta Banchai” movement, the torch lighting united farmers, students, teachers, fishermen, and mothers who have watched their lands turn to dust as the Teesta’s waters dwindle – diverted upstream, mismanaged downstream, and neglected by decades of political delay.
At the central gathering in Lalmonirhat, Principal Asadul Habib Dulu, Lalmonirhat district BNP President and movement coordinator, stood before a sea of flames and declared a clear ultimatum: “The Teesta Mega Project must begin with our own funding before the February National Assembly election schedule is announced. If not, we will launch a massive movement across greater Rangpur blocking roads, shutting educational institutions, and bringing the region to a standstill until our river is saved.”
His words echoed the frustration of a region that contributes significantly to the nation’s food basket yet remains parched in dry seasons and flooded in monsoons—all because a fair water-sharing agreement remains unrealised and a vital domestic project remains on paper.
Nazrul Islam Haqqani, President of the Teesta Banchao Nodi Banchai Sangram Parishad, stood in solidarity, calling the Teesta “the lifeline of Rangpur”—not just a river, but a source of identity, survival, and sovereignty.
The torches, swaying like fireflies in the dusk, carried more than light. They carried the silent screams of barren fields, the empty nets of fishermen, and the dreams of children who’ve never seen the Teesta flow full.
As one elderly farmer put it, clutching his torch like a prayer: “We’re not asking for charity. We’re asking for what’s ours—the right to water, to grow, to live.”
With over a lakh souls lighting the night, the message to Dhaka—and to the world—was unmistakable:
The people of the Teesta are awake. And they will not be ignored.
Torch procession in five districts demanding implementation of Teesta master plan
A simultaneous torch procession was organised in five northern districts on Thursday evening, demanding immediate implementation of the Teesta Master Plan to protect the river
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Bangladesh's fish exports to India have surged amid rising demand, with export earnings increasing by $12.88 million, while imports have dropped by $9.68 million in the current fiscal year.
According to data from the Benapole Land Port, Bangladesh exported 13.74 million kilograms of fish to India in FY2024-25, valued at $38.35 million. The majority, around 88%, consisted of Pabda fish, while hilsa accounted for about 4%, sent mainly as gifts during the Durga Puja festival.
In contrast, imports of carp and marine fish from India have fallen significantly. Officials attribute the surge in exports primarily to India's growing demand for Pabda.
In FY2023-24, Bangladesh exported 8.29 million kilograms of fish worth $25.46 million, with pabda also dominating shipments.
Imports, meanwhile, have declined sharply. During FY2024-25, Bangladesh imported 17.11 million kilograms of fish worth $7.66 million, compared to 35.40 million kilograms valued at $17.34 million the previous year.
Local fish farmers struggling with rising production costs
Rezaul Islam Khokon, owner of Satata Fish Company in Benapole, cultivates various species across 40 acres of ponds, mainly pabda, tilapia, and ruhi, exporting Pabda directly to India.
"Production costs have increased significantly due to higher prices of feed, electricity, and labour," he said. "It now costs about Tk 270–280 per kg to produce a two-kilogram ruhi. Profit margins have fallen from 30% to just 10%, which is worrying."
According to fisheries officials and local farmers, pabda production has expanded notably in Jhikargacha, Monirampur, and Sharsha upazilas of Jashore district, driven by the growing Indian market. As a result, many farmers are shifting from cultivating ruhi, katla, and pangash to Pabda.
Abdul Kuddus, owner of Janata Fish in Sharsha, said pabda remains the top export. "The highest demand in India is for pabda weighing 15–16 pieces per kilogram," he said.
Sajib Saha, quarantine officer of the Department of Fisheries at Benapole Land Port, explained that the rise in pabda production has helped reduce import dependency.
"Due to strong Indian demand, production has expanded across several upazilas, especially in the Jashore region, which now produces a surplus," he said. "After meeting local needs, surplus fish are supplied to other parts of the country and even exported through the Akhaura border. It appears that higher domestic production has eased import pressures."
www.tbsnews.net
According to data from the Benapole Land Port, Bangladesh exported 13.74 million kilograms of fish to India in FY2024-25, valued at $38.35 million. The majority, around 88%, consisted of Pabda fish, while hilsa accounted for about 4%, sent mainly as gifts during the Durga Puja festival.
In contrast, imports of carp and marine fish from India have fallen significantly. Officials attribute the surge in exports primarily to India's growing demand for Pabda.
In FY2023-24, Bangladesh exported 8.29 million kilograms of fish worth $25.46 million, with pabda also dominating shipments.
Imports, meanwhile, have declined sharply. During FY2024-25, Bangladesh imported 17.11 million kilograms of fish worth $7.66 million, compared to 35.40 million kilograms valued at $17.34 million the previous year.
Local fish farmers struggling with rising production costs
Rezaul Islam Khokon, owner of Satata Fish Company in Benapole, cultivates various species across 40 acres of ponds, mainly pabda, tilapia, and ruhi, exporting Pabda directly to India.
"Production costs have increased significantly due to higher prices of feed, electricity, and labour," he said. "It now costs about Tk 270–280 per kg to produce a two-kilogram ruhi. Profit margins have fallen from 30% to just 10%, which is worrying."
According to fisheries officials and local farmers, pabda production has expanded notably in Jhikargacha, Monirampur, and Sharsha upazilas of Jashore district, driven by the growing Indian market. As a result, many farmers are shifting from cultivating ruhi, katla, and pangash to Pabda.
Abdul Kuddus, owner of Janata Fish in Sharsha, said pabda remains the top export. "The highest demand in India is for pabda weighing 15–16 pieces per kilogram," he said.
Sajib Saha, quarantine officer of the Department of Fisheries at Benapole Land Port, explained that the rise in pabda production has helped reduce import dependency.
"Due to strong Indian demand, production has expanded across several upazilas, especially in the Jashore region, which now produces a surplus," he said. "After meeting local needs, surplus fish are supplied to other parts of the country and even exported through the Akhaura border. It appears that higher domestic production has eased import pressures."
Rising Indian demand for Bangladeshi Pabda fish drives $12.88m export surge, import declines
Bangladesh exported 13.74 million kg of fish worth $38.35 million to India in FY24-25
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- BSNL halts bandwidth imports from Bangladesh
- Northeast India faces connectivity disruption risk
- Financial constraints cited behind service suspension
- BSCPLC expanding capacity with new cables
India's state-owned Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) is discontinuing bandwidth imports from Bangladesh to its northeast region from today.
Md Ariful Huq, deputy general manager (marketing and sales) at Bangladesh Submarine Cables PLC (BSCPLC), confirmed the development to The Daily Star following an inquiry yesterday.
According to the BSCPLC, BSNL has officially notified that it will disconnect its remaining 10 Gbps (gigabits per second) bandwidth link at 00:00 hours on October 21, 2025.
This move will directly affect internet connectivity in India's northeastern region, which depends on bandwidth imported via the Akhaura port.
The BSCPLC and BSNL entered into a commercial relationship after an agreement was signed on June 6, 2015.
However, the ties have been marred by repeated interruptions due to "financial difficulties" on the Indian side.
Sources in the BSCPLC said BSNL's latest decision to stop availing the service was also prompted by financial constraints.
The BSCPLC officially began exporting 10 Gbps of bandwidth to BSNL on February 8, 2016.
However, on February 8, 2020, BSNL temporarily stopped availing the service.
It later started availing the service again on November 26, 2021, following a new agreement signed on September 7, 2021.
The service resumed with an initial capacity of 10 Gbps, which was subsequently increased to 20 Gbps.
The latest development marks yet another disruption in the service.
The bandwidth supply from Bangladesh played a crucial role for India's "Seven Sisters" region, which has remained digitally isolated compared to the country's major digital hubs such as Chennai, Hyderabad and Mumbai, mainly due to inadequate transmission facilities.
The BSCPLC provides the service through a terrestrial optical fibre link operated by Bangladesh Telecommunications Company Ltd, connecting its Cox's Bazar landing station to BSNL's Agartala node via Akhaura.
Meanwhile, Bangladesh began importing bandwidth from India in 2012 to ensure redundancy for its sole submarine cable connection and to support the country's growing bandwidth demand.
This import commenced after the Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC) issued International Terrestrial Cable (ITC) licenses to private operators in 2012.
Currently, Bangladesh's total bandwidth consumption stands at around 8,500 Gbps, of which nearly half comes from India through ITC operators.
In February this year, the BTRC capped bandwidth imports from India at 50 percent to reduce dependence on a single source and to encourage diversified international connectivity.
At that time, about 60 percent of Bangladesh's total bandwidth consumption was being imported from India through ITC companies.
Over the past few months, the BSCPLC has significantly expanded its bandwidth supply.
As of August 1, 2025, it reached a real-time internet traffic threshold of 4,000 Gbps.
In a press release, the company stated that it had achieved the 3,000 Gbps mark on April 28 and boosted capacity by an additional 1,000 Gbps within just three months.
Since the beginning of the current interim government's tenure, the BSCPLC's total supply has increased by more than 2,200 Gbps, marking a growth of over 105 percent within a single year as of last August.
The company currently operates two submarine cable systems—SEA-ME-WE-4 and SEA-ME-WE-5—which together offer a combined capacity of around 7,200 Gbps. Of this, approximately 4,200 Gbps is supplied domestically.
The BSCPLC also maintains an operational reserve capacity of 3,000 Gbps, which can be expanded further through technological upgrades as needed.
Its third submarine cable, SEA-ME-WE-6, is expected to be operational by the end of 2026 with a total capacity of around 30,000 Gbps, connecting Bangladesh through the Cox's Bazar-Singapore and Cox's Bazar-Mumbai-France routes.
Meanwhile, a private submarine cable consortium comprising three companies was also scheduled to become operational in 2026.
However, its timely launch has become uncertain, as company officials said they are facing delays in obtaining government approvals at various stages.
Indian firm halts bandwidth imports from Bangladesh
This move will directly affect internet connectivity in India's northeastern region
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If this deal goes through and the government there continues to be anti-India, there is no doubt in my mind that Bangladesh will become the next Ukraine. Or the next Pakistan. But the choice is up to India. It can turn Bangladesh into the next Cuba. It can blockade Bangladesh and make it clear that this deal will never be allowed.
If India wants to be the next US, it needs to behave like it. During the Cuban missile crisis, John F Kennedy made it very clear that Cuba may not deploy Russian missiles in the underbelly of the US. India, similarly, should not allow Bangladesh to be a thorn by its side.
A great opportunity was missed in 1971 by India to redraw its boundaries and widen the corridor at the Chicken Neck. And by letting Mujib-ur Rehman get assassinated by the CIA. This needs to be rectified.
If it is not done now, Bangladesh will begin to see itself as the next Ukraine. A new front will be opened which may be abused by Turkey and Pakistan, China and even the West.
If India wants to be the next US, it needs to behave like it. During the Cuban missile crisis, John F Kennedy made it very clear that Cuba may not deploy Russian missiles in the underbelly of the US. India, similarly, should not allow Bangladesh to be a thorn by its side.
A great opportunity was missed in 1971 by India to redraw its boundaries and widen the corridor at the Chicken Neck. And by letting Mujib-ur Rehman get assassinated by the CIA. This needs to be rectified.
If it is not done now, Bangladesh will begin to see itself as the next Ukraine. A new front will be opened which may be abused by Turkey and Pakistan, China and even the West.
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Third class article devoid of reality.
