Bangabandhu Hi-Tech City

Bangabandhu Hi-Tech City (BHTC) is a business park in Kaliakair, Gazipur District, Bangladesh. Originally called Kaliakoir Hi-Tech Park, after the municipality in which it is located,[1] it was renamed in June 2016 to honor Bangabandhu (Father of the Nation) Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.[2]

History

The hi-tech park was formally proposed in June 1999 at a meeting of the Board of Investment. A feasibility study was conducted in 2001 by the Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology.[3] A boundary wall was constructed in 2008.[4] A further assessment was performed by PricewaterhouseCoopers in 2009. It said that one advantage of the location was that land acquisition was complete.[5] In 2010, the Bangladesh Hi-Tech Park Authority (BHTPA) was formed to regulate and operate hi-tech business parks in the country.

By June 2015, the authority had awarded contracts for basic infrastructure. One of two parts of a bypass road for local residents was complete, as was an internal access road. Construction had begun on sewer lines and a sewage treatment plant; the boundary wall was being extended to enclose an expected expansion, and replaced where it had been demolished during other construction; installation of street lighting was underway; and refurbishment of a three-storey building built in 2009 but not yet occupied was in progress.[4]

The original 232 acres (94 ha) site is divided into five blocks. Block 1 is reserved for government use. Blocks 2 and 5 are being built by Summit Technopolis, a joint venture between Summit Group of Bangladesh and Infinity Infotech Parks of India. Bangladesh TechnoSity is developing Block 3. As of 2020, Block 4 has not been awarded. Summit Technopolis broke ground on their portion on 28 February 2016.[1] By June of that year, the project had been expanded to 355 acres (144 ha).[2]

Economy

The government offers various incentives to attract investors and tenants, such as tax breaks and exemptions on import duties.[6][7]

As of November 2020, five companies are manufacturing in the park, employing 13,000 workers.[8]

References
  1. "Summit Technopolis begins building hi-tech park". The Daily Star. 29 February 2016.
  2. "Kaliakoir hi-tech park renamed". The Daily Observer. UNB. 1 June 2016.
  3. Project Formulation Study for the Establishment of Hi-Tech Park at Kaliakoir, Gazipur (PDF) (Report). Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology. July 2002. p. 1.
  4. "Support to Development of Kaliakoir Hi-Tech Park Project: Progress Report (July 2014-June 2015)" (PDF). Bangladesh Hi-Tech Park Authority. pp. 17–18 20–23 25–26.
  5. "Bangladesh Private Sector Development Support Project – Economic Zones Development Assignment" (PDF). PricewaterhouseCoopers. August 2009. p. 21 – via Bangladesh Hi-Tech Park Authority.
  6. "NBR widens tax waiver for investors in hi-tech parks". New Age. 7 December 2018.
  7. "Hi-Tech Park - Prospective Gateway of Investment & Employment" (PDF). Bangladesh Hi-Tech Park Authority. 10 April 2019.
  8. "37 companies get land allotment at Bangabandhu Hi-Tech City". The Financial Express. Dhaka. 2 November 2020.
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