Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Shilpa Nagar

Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Shilpa Nagar (BSMSN) is an economic zone in Chittagong Division of Bangladesh, spanning 33407 acre. Situated along the Dhaka–Chittagong highway, the economic zone is positioned about 60 km away from the port city of Chittagong. It is being developed under the oversight of the Bangladesh Economic Zones Authority (BEZA). By 2024, various companies have collectively invested US$1.23 billion, with five industrial units already operational.

Geography
The industrial city is under development on approximately 33407 acre of land spanning three upazilas (sub-districts): Mirsarai and Sitakunda in Chittagong District, and Sonagazi in Feni District, formed from consolidating their respective economic zones. It is situated at the mouth of the Feni River, along 25 km of coastline of Sandwip channel in the Bay of Bengal. 16729 acre of land have already been acquired by the BEZA by June 2024.

Development
The project is estimated to require a total investment of crores for construction. The World Bank has provided a loan of, while the remaining is being funded by the government. The objective of the project is to transform the industrial city into a self-sustaining, globally competitive industrial hub, complete with seaports, railway and road networks, power facilities, waterfront promenades, and residential zones. Additionally, plans include the establishment of five-star hotels, tourist destinations, parks, healthcare facilities, educational institutions, and universities within the area.

, five industrial units are in commercial operations in the economic zone, with 22 more under construction. Approvals have been granted for 152 units within the zone, allocating over 5251 acre acres of land to companies that are collectively investing US$1.23 billion. These companies have proposed investments over US$18 billion, anticipating the creation of employment for 775,228 people. A $1.13 billion project is also planned to improve multimodal logistics by 2030.

Industries
The project area encompasses several specialized zones, notably a 500-acre zone designated for the Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA). Additionally, various other industries are planned to be established within the region, including agro-products and agro-processing machinery, integrated textiles, leather and leather products, shipbuilding, motorbike accessories, food and beverages, paints and chemicals, paper and related products, plastics, light engineering, and pharmaceutical industries.

Issues
As of February 2024, investors in the economic zone face gas and water shortages, hindering industrial operations. A project to address water scarcity from the Meghna River is underway, expected by 2027. Entrepreneurs in the industrial city also struggle with recruitment, primarily due to housing and transportation issues, exacerbating the scarcity of labor.