POBNEWS24, Dhaka June 20, 2022 : Due to the lack of bridges, no big industry has been developed in the south-west for so many years. There was a stream of people going to Dhaka in search of livelihood. The tourism sector is also lagging behind. With the launch of the Padma Bridge, the people of the region are seeing the untapped potential for the development of agriculture, tourism and industry on the south coast. The ease of communication will benefit the overall economy and people’s livelihood.
In terms of economic activity, Khulna and Barisal in the south and south-west lag behind the northern divisions Rajshahi and Rangpur. According to the 2013 Economic Census of the Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics (BBS), the total number of economic establishments in the country that year was just over 7 lakh. Of these, Sylhet, Barisal and Khulna had the lowest number of installations among the seven divisions at that time. For example, the number of economic establishments in Rangpur was more than one million. In Barisal it was about 3 lakh and a half. Khulna, once rich in industry, also lags behind Rangpur.
There are no big industries in Barisal except for a few pharmaceutical, cement and textile factories due to poor communication system. Most of the plots in Barisal BSIC city, established on 133 acres of land, are still vacant.
The investment of 10 districts of the division is also comparatively less. According to the Khulna office of the Bangladesh Investment Development Authority (BIDA), there are no large export oriented industries in Khulna and its adjoining districts. These districts have Auto Bricks, Organic Fertilizer, Plastic Factory, Jute Mill, Feed Mill and Food Processing Factory. Apart from this, some LPG factories have been set up in Mongla port.
Bidder officials say investment in the Khulna region is much lower than expected. It goes without saying that there is no investment in the manufacturing sector. Most of the small factories are in Jessore and Kushtia.
Farmers in the south and south-west are also waiting for the Padma bridge. They will be able to easily send grains, vegetables and fish to Dhaka if the bridge is opened. The Department of Implementation, Monitoring and Evaluation (IMED) of the Ministry of Planning conducted a survey in May 2020. It interviewed 650 people from different walks of life in Madaripur, Shariatpur and Munshiganj, 95 per cent of whom said that the launch of the Padma Bridge would facilitate the transportation of agricultural products.
The immense potential of tourism has been created around the Padma Bridge. Traveling from Dhaka to Kuakata, the country’s second largest beach, will save time. Kuakata, Taltali’s Tengragiri, Shubhsandhya, Barguna, Patharghata and surrounding areas, and even the Sundarbans-centric tourism industry will be developed.
In the wake of the iron jungle, several tourist centers have already sprung up. Many in Mawa-Jazira are leaning towards tourism business instead of profession. Uninterrupted communication system will be established with Mongla Port, Dhaka and the whole country with Payra Port.
