Indian Economic Zone (Mongla)

Indian Economic Zone (Mongla)

The proposed site for Mongla economic zone shares close proximity (within 200 meters) with Mongla port, providing strategic advantage in terms of accessibility to various international markets for trade.

The major export commodity handled in Mongla port includes jute, jute products, frozen food/shrimps, clay tiles, betel nuts, the majority of which will be handled in containers. Frozen goods export have increased since 2002 and is estimated that majority of the entire shrimp export has been conducted through Mongla, about 70% of which is to Europe and the rest to the US. Furthermore, a number of commodities such as coal, garments, leather, machineries etc. are expected to be handled by the port in the upcoming years on account of thrust and high traffic at Chittagong port. The import of Clinker, one of the major components generally imported through Mongla Port for the local cement plants, has increased in the last few years due to regional infrastructural development projects. Food grains, LPG, fertilizer, gas, machineries and motor vehicles are other major commodities handled at Mongla Port, together accounting for ~90% of total imports. The potential of Mongla port has not yet been utilized, the way that the Chittagong port has. The Government of Bangladesh is actively considering revitalizing the port to make it  a national port with capacity/activity comparable to Chittagong port.

Mongla also enjoys the advantage of being on the banks of an inland river, especially since inland water transport is a major mode of transportation in the country. The Government plans to construct the Padma Bridge as part of the Bangladesh Southwest Road Network Development Project. Following the opening of the new bridge, the  road distance between Dhaka and Mongla will be reduced to 189 km, 74 km less than the present distance of 264 km between Dhaka and Chittagong – and much less congested. The bridge is expected to revive the Mongla port, which is now operating at very low capacity due to the long travel time required to reach Dhaka and other key locations.

 In order to exploit the above opportunities and advantages the Indian Government has expressed interest in developing an Economic Zone near Mongla Port to host investment exclusively from India.

Current Development: 

• Land Development
• Feasibility Study
• Environmental Impact Assessment

Proposed Land 

• 105 Acre

Proposed Employment

• Around 8,000 people

Industries to be set up

• Agro-food, light engineering, Chemical  etc.