# JICA to provide $10bn

# $10bn to be mobilised from Japanese pvt sector

# Mega plan includes 68 projects 

# Power hub, energy hub, industry hub, logistics hub included

# 6 projects already implemented

Japan has proposed to help implement a mega plan comprising 68 projects to develop integrated infrastructures in the Maheshkhali-Matarbari islands at an estimated cost of $20 billion.

Of the total cost, the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) will provide $10 billion while the rest $10 billion will be mobilised from the Japanese private sector.

Earlier on January 13, a meeting held at the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) scrutinized the proposal of JICA. Zuena Aziz, Chief Coordinator for Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) Affairs at PMO presided over the meeting.

It has been learnt that JICA wants to develop Maheshkhali-Matarbari following the example of the Kyushu Island in Japan.

“The government will implement the Maheshkhali-Matarbari integrated infrastructure development initiative in three phases,” State Minister for Power and Energy Nasrul Hamid has said.

The government has already stated working on separate business models and forming separate authorities to make the 68 projects economically viable.

In the 80s of the last century, Japan adopted the’ Pacific Belt Zone, a project spreading over northern Tokyo to Kyushu.  The Japanese government earmarked a 1,200km area for industrialisation. Within 10 years, the per capita income of the country doubled. Currently, there are 5 lakh industries in 10 industrial zones under the Pacific Belt. This belt contributes 80 per cent to the total production of the country, apart from employments of lakhs of people.

JICA is keen to apply its experience to create an industrial belt across Maheshkhali, Matarbari, Dhaka, Chattogram and Cox’s Bazar, sources said.

According to sources, JICA first highlighted its mega plan during a meeting at the PMO in 2019. However, the project could not be completed within the estimated time due to Covid-19 pandemic. Besides, a separate authority and business model are needed to deal with the construction of power plants and a deep seaport at Matarbari. Presided over by Zuena Aziz, Chief Coordinator for Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) Affairs at the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO), the meeting underscored the need for constituting an independent authority to implement the proposed development plan and framing a business model. The meeting also decided to draft a law to be submitted to PMO within two months for the constitution of Maheshkhali-Matarbari Integrated Infrastructure Development Initiative (MIDI).

JICA proposed to implement the integrated development plan in three stages.

In the first stage, it will construct 1,200mw ultra-supercritical thermal power plant by 2024.

In the second stage, it will build a deep seaport and LNG terminal within 2031.

In the third stage, JICA will develop a special economic zone, primary energy-related industries and planned urbanization by 2041.

JICA said the deep seaport they are offering to build in Matarbari will have an 18.7-metre draft. Only Sri Lanka and Dubai have such high capacity seaports allowing container ships of 100,000 tonnes.

JICA will construct a 3,500mmcfd LNG terminal. The Matarbari deep seaport will have 4.8 million TEUs container handling capacity, just double of the capacity of Chattogram Port. JICA also proposed to connect Matarbari to all other industrial hubs and ports in Dhaka, Chattogram and Cox’s Bazar via national highway-1 and railway routes.

JICA has planned to put Matarbari-Maheshkhali at the centre of the “Bay of Bengal Industrial Growth Belt (BIG-B)” initiative.

On January 13, at a meeting at the PMO scrutinized the JICA’s proposal and chalked out 37 projects. The meeting also proposed to have 15 projects be constructed with the financial support of Japan government.

However, officials concerned said the total number of the integrated plan will be 68 including 14 pending with various ministries.

Six of the projects have already been implemented at a cost of Tk 120 billion while six others are under construction. The remaining projects are going through feasibility tests, according to the minutes of the meeting held on January 17.

The implemented projects are Maheshkhali Floating LNG (FLNG) Terminal, Maheshkhali FSRU Project, Maheshkhali -Anwara Gas Transmission Pipeline, Maheshkhali Zero Point Gas Transmission Pipeline and Matarbari Island Embankment.

Meanwhile, constructions of Matarbari 1,200mw thermal power plant, Matarbari-Madunaghat 400kv transmission line, Matarbari port road and Matarbari power plant access road are underway.