Bangladesh to establish Defense Economic Zone
Planned zone to focus on drones, cyber systems, and ammunition production with the aim of making Bangladesh self-reliant in the arms industry and turning it into an export hub
DHAKA, Bangladesh (MNTV) — Bangladesh is set to create a specialised Defense Economic Zone (DEZ) aimed at building a self-reliant and export-oriented military industrial base, as part of a broader strategy to modernise its armed forces and reduce dependence on foreign suppliers.
The initiative, estimated to attract about 15,000 crore Bangladeshi taka ($1.2 billion) in investment, will target the production of drones, cyber-technology systems, arms, and ammunition for both domestic and international markets, according to The Business Standard.
Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus has already approved key policy measures to encourage technology transfer, public-private partnerships, and foreign direct investment in the defense sector, officials said.
The decision to establish a dedicated zone was finalised at a September meeting chaired by Chowdhury Ashik Mahmud Bin Harun, Executive Chairman of the Bangladesh Economic Zones Authority (Beza), and attended by senior civil and military officials.
Minutes from the meeting indicate growing international interest, with several foreign governments and defense firms exploring joint ventures in Bangladesh’s nascent defense manufacturing sector.
“Work is under way to establish the zone and attract both domestic and foreign investment,” Ashik Chowdhury told the media. “The location and land size have not yet been finalized. We are developing the policy framework and engaging with friendly countries. The goal is to make the defense sector export-oriented.”
Officials said Yunus had earlier endorsed the initial policy framework in April, assigning the Bangladesh Army to draft a concept paper for a national defense industry policy. The domestic market for defense products is currently estimated at about 8,000 crore taka ($700 million) annually, spanning the armed forces, Border Guard Bangladesh, Coast Guard, police, and other security agencies.
Finance Secretary Md Khairuzzaman Mozumder, who participated in the meeting, said the emerging sector should draw inspiration from international models such as McDonnell Douglas and Lockheed Martin, where the private sector drives innovation and export growth.
“$1.2 billion crore may not be available from a single year’s budget, but it can be allocated over several fiscal years,” he noted, adding that the Finance Ministry could support land acquisition by repurposing unused state-owned industrial sites.
Officials said a short-term project may be launched to expedite the establishment of the zone, with a long-term objective of positioning Bangladesh as a competitive player in the global defense supply chain.
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