King Jigme Khesar Namguel Wangchuck of Bhutan is visiting Kurigram on Thursday (March 28). He will visit the site designated for the proposed ‘Bhutanese Special Economic Zone’ based on JTUG at Kurigram, a joint initiative of the Governments of Bangladesh and Bhutan. Businessmen and prominent people have expressed hope that there will be a positive change in the socio-economic condition of the people of the poorest district of the country when the activities of the economic zone begin. They believe that the king’s visit will open the door to prosperity.
Meanwhile, the local administration and the Bangladesh Economic Zone Authority (BEZA) are set to welcome the King of Bhutan at the designated site for the proposed Dharla Coastal Economic Zone on the eastern edge of the district town. Intelligence agencies including SSF and district police have made extensive preparations to ensure the safety of the king. Security forces have kept a tight vigil at various points in the city.
According to the itinerary, King Jigme Khesar Namguel Wangchuck of Bhutan arrived in Dhaka on a visit to Bangladesh on March 25. During his stay in Dhaka, he signed three MoUs including the establishment of Special Economic Zone in Kurigram. Raja Wangchuk will arrive at Syedpur Airport in Nilphamari by air from Dhaka on Thursday afternoon. From there you will go to Kurigram by road. There he will visit the designated site for the ‘Bhutanese Special Economic Zone’ proposed as a joint venture between the governments of Bangladesh and Bhutan. Then he will return to Bhutan via India via Sonahat land port of Bhurungamari Upazila of the district.
1. 9bfu09b0u09cdu09a7 u09beu09b0u09bfu09a4 u09b8u09cdu09a5u09beu09a8“}”> Beja Executive Chairman Sheikh Yusuf Haroon said that if the economic zone activities start in Kurigram, employment will be created for the people of the district. Apart from agro-based industries, there are also plans to set up some heavy industries in this economic zone. Through the expansion of trade between the two countries, the door of economic prosperity will be opened in the region.
Prominent people of the district say that the visit of the King of Bhutan to Kurigram carries special significance. His visit will create a milestone in the socio-economic development and commercial development of the district. When this joint economic zone is launched, Kurigram will become known as an international trade zone. Employment opportunities will be created. People’s quality of life will improve dramatically by rising to the rank of the poorest district.
Industrialization opportunities will be created in this district, which is dominated by rivers and grasslands, along with agricultural products processing factories. In addition to this Kurigram-Bhutan commercial relationship, there will be immense opportunities for commercial communication with the regions known as the ‘Seven Sisters’ of India.
In this regard, Ekushey medalist and recently awarded the freedom award SM Abraham Lincoln, a prominent lawyer-social activist of Kurigram said, ‘I think, creation of employment opportunities through the establishment of economic zones will change the map of poverty in Kurigram. Bhutan is becoming an international economic zone. By this, Kurigram is going to become an international economic major avenue. This district will be an international gateway, acting as an international hub. The overall image of the district will change. There will be an overall awakening.’
President of Kurigram Chamber of Commerce Abdul Aziz Mia said, ‘If it becomes an economic zone, unemployment will disappear in Kurigram. If there is investment from outside, buyers come then industry will develop, employment will be created. There will be multiple development here if there is wide publicity and expansion.’
In a bilateral meeting with the King and Queen of Bhutan in London in May 2023, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina proposed the establishment of a special economic zone in Kurigram. The district administration and Beja have determined the area for the economic zone on the eastern side of the Kurigram-Bhurungamari road, east of the Dharla bridge at the eastern end of the district town, for the establishment of the proposed ‘Bhutanese Special Economic Zone’ based on Jituji in Kurigram as a joint initiative of the governments of Bangladesh and Bhutan.
The district administration has handed over 133.92 acres of Khas land to the Economic Zone Authority (BEZA) belonging to Madhavaram Mauza of Bhogdanga Union of the district headquarters. This Khas land is located on the north-east side of Syed Fazlul Karim (R.H.) Jamia Islamia Madrasa at the eastern end of Dharla Bridge. It is said that there is an opportunity to acquire land at that place if necessary.
