Despite much potential, Mongla Export Processing Zone (EPZ) could not be developed properly due to lack of smooth communication system and gas supply through pipeline.

Entrepreneurs are not showing much interest in investing in the EPZ area and only about 17 local and foreign companies are operating here at present.

Bagerhat Chambers of Commerce and Industries sources said the EPZ was not developed properly due to non-cooperation by the authority concerned. Thousands of unemployed people of the southern region would get employment opportunities if sufficient number of industries were established here, they added.

The EPZ was established on 460 acres of land in 1998 at Mongla port area with 124 industrial plots. The price of a plot here is almost half compared to other EPZs and there is adequate facilities for transporting goods through roads and waterways.

EPZ sources said 30 plots out of 142 have been allotted so far and 11 factories were built on the land during the last 15 years. The industries are Mongla Sea Food (China), TIPA Industries (Italy), Asker nuts (Thailand), Bangladesh Agro (India), Erica Nut (India-Bangladesh), Goto Buki (Japan), GS Oil (India), 3G Engineering (United Kingdom), Piliasis Garment (Japan), Huaging Jute (China) and Mongla Knitwear (China). At present over 800 workers are working in these industries.

The distance from Dhaka to Mongla is not too great but there is no easy communication system. 180 kilometers away from Dhaka via Mowa ferry ghat and there is no airport in Khulna. The construction of Khanjahan Ali Airport started in 1997 at Foyla of Bagerhat considering the importance of Mongla port and industrial city Khulna. The earth filling of the airport has been completed. At present the construction work of the airport has been stopped.

On the other hand, there is no gas supply in Mongla. An initiative had been taken in 2007 for gas supply through pipeline in south-western region. It also remains suspended various reason.