Plan announced for a free trade zone near Matarbari Deep Sea Port like UAE

Chowdhury Ashik Mahmud Bin Harun, executive chairman of the Bangladesh Investment Development Authority (BIDA), announced a long-term plan with DP World to establish a free trade zone near Matarbari Deep Sea Port, similar to the Jebel Ali Port in the UAE, which contributes 25% to the UAE's economy.

He shared this information during a press briefing held on the third day of the Investment Conference organized by BIDA at the InterContinental Hotel in Dhaka on Wednesday.

Chowdhury Ashik Mahmud said: “Sultan Ahmed Bin Sulayem, the chairman of DP World, has come to participate in our program. He is a VIP from the UAE, very close to the royal family. He has done a small program here, but his program was full, and we could not accommodate many attendees.”

He added: “With the technical experts and various assistance from DP World, we are trying to establish the free trade zone. This was the main objective of the chairman’s visit. He will meet with the chief adviser today (Wednesday), and then they will discuss this matter further.”

During the briefing, he also highlighted the overwhelming response to the summit, mentioning that many people who couldn't get a place still attended, seeking to meet investors.

He said: “We are thinking of holding the next summit at the China Friendship Conference Centre. The demand there is higher.”

Notably, DP World is a global port operator, established in 2005 through the merger of Dubai Port Authority and Dubai Ports International.