Dhaka, May 6 -- In the west bank of Jamuna Bridge in Sirajganj, there are many small and big sandy pastures, unsuitable for cash crops except for boot-nuts. They remain almost uncultivated almost for the whole year. However, the char land Baliari is now ready to have an identity of economic zone. The construction of the country's first and largest private sector economic zone is now in its final stages, and will also be the country's first Green Economic Zone.

The zone is being prepared with the engineering and technical support of the Japan Development Institute (JDI). Nike, the world-famous brand of shoes and jerseys, is manufacturing there in a joint venture with Bangladesh's Apex. Discussions are going on to set up factories in singl...