Anwara emerges as Chattogram’s new economic gateway
Rafiqul Islam Selim/Md Javedul Islam, Chattogram
Anwara is emerging as a major hub for investment, industrialisation, employment, housing and tourism. Infrastructure work has begun on the 800-acre China Economic and Industrial Zone (CEIZ), which is expected to attract around US$1.5 billion in Chinese investment and potentially create hundreds of thousands of jobs.
Investment in the Korean EPZ is also expected to increase following the Bangladesh-South Korea Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA). The EPZ currently has 48 factories employing around 40,000 people. A Tk1,183 crore project has also been approved to upgrade the PAB-Anwara regional highway and improve connectivity. The Karnaphuli Tunnel has further enhanced Anwara’s prospects by linking it with Chattogram city, the port and southern Bangladesh. The area could eventually connect Chattogram Port, the proposed Bay Terminal, the Mirsarai industrial zone, the Maheshkhali energy hub and Matarbari deep-sea port.
Officials and investment experts believe Anwara could eventually become part of a broader Bangladesh-China-Myanmar economic corridor. The Chattogram Development Authority has incorporated Anwara, Karnaphuli and Patiya into its metropolitan master plan, paving the way for planned urbanisation and housing projects. The CEIZ began infrastructure work on July 27 under a government-to-government project jointly implemented by the Bangladesh Economic Zones Authority (BEZA) and China Road and Bridge Corporation. Located about 18km from Chattogram Port and 20km from Shah Amanat International Airport, the zone is expected to attract export-oriented textile, chemical, automobile and IT industries.
Investment prospects in the Korean EPZ have improved after long-standing land complications were resolved. The EPZ had struggled to attract major investors because of unresolved mutation issues involving about 2,500 acres. Companies such as Hyundai and Samsung had previously shown interest but could not invest. Industrialisation is also expected to benefit from improved energy infrastructure. A Chinese company has received approval to establish the country’s third LNG terminal at Kutubjom in Maheshkhali, which is expected to increase gas supplies and support electricity generation.
Tourism and housing are expanding alongside industrial development. Private developers have launched projects, including CPDL’s Anindyanagar, while authorities envision Anwara becoming a modern satellite city that could ease population pressure on Chattogram. Parqi Beach is also being developed as a world-class tourist destination under a Tk548.19 crore Water Development Board project covering coastal protection, a tourism complex, cottages, restaurants, a multipurpose building, picnic sheds, a children’s park and an artificial lake. The complex is awaiting inauguration.
A luxury resort complex with 30 star-rated bungalows was built near the tunnel at a cost of around Tk450 crore, but many facilities remain underused because industrial activity has yet to reach its expected scale. Stakeholders believe expanding industry could attract more domestic and foreign visitors. The Tk10,690 crore Karnaphuli Tunnel is currently operating at a loss, but increased industrialisation, investment, tourism and urban activity around Anwara could eventually improve its financial performance. The area is increasingly being viewed as a new gateway for Chattogram’s economic expansion.
