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TIB executive director issued a written statement in this regard. Transparency International Bangladesh (TIB) has urged the government to make public the set of conditions and clauses given to countries like China, India and Japan for establishing economic zones (EZs) in the country.
In a written statement issued yesterday, the organisation’s Executive Director Dr Iftekharuzzaman said the short, medium and long-term outcomes and risk analysis must also be made public.
“The logic and timeliness of the decision to let them set up economic zones is beyond debate,” he said in the statement, “But what implications the conditions given to the countries may have for Bangladesh, and whether it may have any other risk or ramification, also needs to be looked into.”
“It is also not clear how the decision to set up EZs in the designated areas will affect the local population and whether the EZs would benefit them in the long run or not. This worries us.”
Dr Iftekharuzzaman also warned of setting up those economic zones in agriculture-based lands which are highly affected by climate change and soil salinity. “No feasibility study has been conducted in those areas, whether they are suitable or not. At least the information is not public knowledge.”
He also remarked about leaving the experts and stakeholders out of developments regarding the decision-making processes.
“Although the ownership details with Japan has been finalised, no other information has been made public regarding the deals with India and China, regarding what percentage of the EZs they will own, how much logistical support Bangladesh will provide, and other such details. This needs to be informed to the public.”
He expressed grave concern about the proposed Mirsarai Economic Zone, which was allocated for India’s Adani Group, a company mired in controversy regarding its mining project in Queensland, Australia.
Environmentalists in Australia allege Adani Group’s proposed Carmichael coal mine in Queensland will release more than 4.6 billion tons of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere, contribute to the destruction of the Great Barrier Reef, and destroy the ancestral lands and waters of First Nations’ people.
(DT)
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