The Bangladesh Export Processing Zone Authority (BEPZA) is likely to finalise the selection of site for a fifth Export Processing Zone (EPZ) in the northern area of the country.

The BEPZA in its governing body meeting scheduled on July 9 will take the final decision in this regard, said Moazzem Hossain Khan. Chairman of BEPZA.

The alm of the new EPZ will be to attract foreign investment and develop the area.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina will preside over the meeting and other members including the industry and finance ministers will be present.

It would be the fifth government-established EPZ in the country after Dhaka. Chittagong. Gazlpur and Mongla. An EPZ allows local and foreign factories to set up shops to produce goods for export

After selecting the place BEPZA will acquire about 400-500 acres of land and start construction work for creating plots and providing various logistic support to the investors.

Khan told The Dally Star the

governing body of the BEPZA decided to set up an EPZ in North Bengal immediately after the Awami League government came into power.

Khan said the BEPZA started preliminary work on the project. The chairman recently paid a visit to the area in order to search for a proper site.

During his tnree-day tour he visited 13 possible sites ip six districts including Bogra. Rangpur. Ishwardi. SirajganJ and Thakurgaon to asses the viability and various opportunities and advantages for establishing an exclusive industrial area.

Chief engineer and two other members of the BEPZA accompanied him during the visit.

The BEPZA chairman said investment point of view will get top priority in selecting the place for the proposed EPZ.

The government acquired land in Mouna to establish Gazlpur EPZ and selected a Blace near Mongla port to set up longla EPZ. All industrial plots in Dhaka and Chittagong EPZs have already been allotted to the investors.