Bangladesh laid the foundation stone for the China Economic and Industrial Zone, or CEIZ, on the eastern bank of the Karnaphuli River in Anwara, Chattogram, on July 27, 2026. Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed said the government-to-government Bangladesh-China project, developed under Belt and Road Initiative principles, marked a new phase for industrial transformation. Finance Minister Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury attended as chief guest.

The project will cover about 776 acres, or 314.39 hectares, and is expected to create more than 36,000 direct jobs in the Chattogram region. Planned industries include ready-made garments and textiles, biopharmaceuticals, food and beverage processing, and leather goods. The finance minister said policy support could help secure about $1 billion in investment for infrastructure and industrial facilities.

Officials said the site is 700 metres from the Karnaphuli Tunnel, six kilometres from Shah Amanat International Airport and 12 kilometres from Chattogram Port, with direct access to the N-1 highway. The government pledged investor security, streamlined approvals and utility services through BEZA's one-stop service. The zone is also planned to include environmentally friendly infrastructure and an international-standard central effluent treatment plant.