The Bangladesh Economic Zones Authority (Beza) has set a time-bound plan for five economic zones to make them fully functional within the next two years, said Chowdhury Ashik Mahmud Bin Harun, executive chairman of Beza.

These zones are expected to attract $5.5 billion in investment and create over 200,000 jobs.

The targeted economic zones are the National Special Economic Zone, Sylhet Economic Zone, Jamalpur Economic Zone, Maheshkhali Economic Zone, and Japanese Economic Zone.

Harun revealed the targets at a press briefing at the multipurpose hall of the Bangladesh Investment Development Authority (BIDA) in Dhaka's Agargaon today.

"Bangladesh does not currently require 100 economic zones. Instead, we are focusing on these five zones, along with another five under review to set similar time-bound goals. The remaining zones may be repurposed for other uses, such as solar power generation."

The Beza would urge the government to promptly extend utility services to the private economic zones, he said.

Investors who have acquired land but are yet to start operations are being encouraged to establish industries, he said.

"If these investors cannot initiate development work, we will request them to return land to Beza."