CHITTAGONG. Aug 7: Bureaucratic bottleneck in land acquisition process has delayed infrastructure development for the 200 million US dollar Korean Export Processing Zone (KEPZ), sources said.

An official concerned, preferring anonymity, said. "Land acquisition process at the site of KEPZ on the bank of the river Karnaphuiy is moving at a snail’s pace, delaying in the process infrastructure development which was supposed to begin this year."

‘Some important portions of the 2.492 acres earmarked for the KEPZ are yet to be acquired while eviction of houses on the designated land lies pending tine to dilly-dallying of the administration." he said. "In spite of all these we hope the infrastructure development works to begin during the next dry season."

‘But we are seeking a thrust from the government for implementation of this private EPZ." he added. Prime Minister Sheikh Haslna laid the foundation stone of the KEPZ on October 30. 1999. The project, undertaken by a Korean company. Youngone Corporation, aims to draw an investment of one billion US dollars for some 250 industries the zone is expected to accommodate. Youngone Corporation has 13 industries tn the export processing zones in Chittagong and Dhaka.

The KEPZ authorities have paid the government 64 crores taka for the land including the compensation money for the affected last year The government was supposed to hand over the entire land to KEPZ immediately after payment, which it hasn't as vet.

The KEPZ project received government's approval In 1996.