Once the licence to operate is given to the biggest EPZ in the country, it will increase our export earnings by a huge amount and employ at least one hundred thousand people. Koreans are known for their great enthusiasm for setting up industries in friendly countries and they have been particularly keen and forthcoming with regard to Bangladesh. The investors are reported to have already spent Tk 100 crore in the EPZ, designed to compete globally with similar projects in other countries. We want this to be taken forward and turned into an example of a vibrant industrial and export growth centre.

However, the inordinate delay that has already taken place in giving due clearance to the EPZ is hard to explain. The internal political dynamics of the BNP were responsible to no small extent for the delay in the commissioning of the EPZ. One could also read partisan interference and intra-party factionalism influencing decision making on the matter, since the project was take up during the previous AL government's tenure. Whatever may be the cause behind the loss of valuable time, let us not allow anymore setting back of the clock. Foreign investment is something that has to be kept above national politics. We want industrial development based on such projects. And the Korean example could lead to more such things in near future.

The delay could not have sent any positive signal to other prospective investors. We must bear in mind that the big factor in attracting FDI is not what we say about our incentives, but what we demonstrably prove on the ground.

It is not clear why the information about the reasons behind the delay have not been shared with the public. We believe some kind of responsibility fixing is needed in order that such delays in materialising vital projects are not repeated in future.