Mr. Tharit Issarayangyun, Deputy Secretary-General of the Eastern Economic Corridor Office (EECO), acting on behalf of Dr. Chula Sukmanop, Secretary-General, presided over a bilateral meeting with a delegation from the Maheshkhali Integrated Development Authority (MIDA) of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh and representatives from the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA). The meeting focused on exchanging strategic frameworks for the development of special economic zones and the establishment of regional infrastructure foundations.
MIDA was established in 2025 under the Prime Minister’s Office of Bangladesh as a strategic entity tasked with driving systematic economic growth. Its comprehensive administrative structure is divided into three core divisions: 1) Financial and Investment Administration, 2) Port and Fisheries Development, and 3) Industry, Energy, and Urban Planning.
During the session, the parties reviewed the progress of the MIDA Master Plan, which has received technical cooperation from JICA over a four-year period beginning in 2024. This initiative serves as an expansion of the “BIG-B” (Bay of Bengal Industrial Growth Belt) initiative, a strategic agreement between the leaders of Bangladesh and Japan. The project aims to transform the Maheshkhali coastal region into a primary trade gateway and a regional industrial hub.
This meeting represented a significant opportunity for both nations to exchange expertise in special economic zone management based on Thailand’s EEC model. Such collaboration aims to strengthen economic ties and enhance the potential of the supply chain between Southeast Asia and the Bay of Bengal, fostering sustainable regional growth.
