Investment in the under-construction China Economic and Industrial Zone (CEIZ) in Anwara, Chattogram, is expected to exceed $1 billion, Finance and Planning Minister Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury said on Monday.

Speaking as the chief guest at the foundation stone-laying ceremony of the Bangladesh-China Economic Zone in Belchura, Anwara, the minister said the project would open up new opportunities for investment and employment in southern Chattogram.

He said the economic zone would play a key role in achieving the government’s target of building a $1 trillion economy by 2034 and contribute significantly to the goal of creating 10 million jobs nationwide.

According to the minister, investment plans for the project currently stand at around $500 million, but the total investment, including infrastructure development and related projects, is expected to surpass $1 billion.

He said the economic zone is expected to create employment opportunities for more than 100,000 people. Beyond industrial production, the project is also expected to stimulate growth in housing, transportation, logistics, supply chains, the service sector, and small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).

“The benefits of the project will extend beyond Anwara and have a positive impact on the entire southern Chattogram economy, accelerating industrial and economic activities across the region,” the minister said.

Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed attended the event as a special guest. Also present were Chinese Ambassador to Bangladesh Yao Wen, Bangladesh Economic Zones Authority (BEZA) Executive Chairman Ashik Chowdhury, the President of China Road and Bridge Corporation (CRBC), Chattogram-13 MP Sarwar Jamal Nizam, senior BEZA officials, government representatives, and local and foreign investors and business leaders.