The Governments of Bangladesh and Bhutan are advancing the Kurigram-Gelephu Economic Corridor, a transformative cross-border initiative that will connect a government-to-government Special Economic Zone (SEZ) in Bangladesh's Kurigram district with Bhutan's planned Gelephu Mindfulness City. Bhutan Prime Minister Tshering Tobgay described the Kurigram SEZ as a "pivotal, future-shaping project" that will unlock new phases of economic cooperation through enhanced connectivity. The corridor aims to facilitate seamless movement of goods, foster industrial linkages, and create new value chains between the two neighboring countries. 

Development of the Kurigram SEZ is being accelerated by the Bangladesh Economic Zones Authority (BEZA) and Bangladesh Investment Development Authority (BIDA). It leverages strategic geographic advantages including proximity to the Sonahali and Roumari land ports and Chilmari river port, promising to significantly reduce transport time and logistics costs for Bhutanese exporters. BEZA has acquired 133.92 acres for the zone with an additional 61.87 acres under acquisition, part of a broader 10-year plan to develop four new economic zones.  

Mr. Ashik Chowdhury, Executive Chairman of BIDA and BEZA, emphasized the complementarity between Kurigram and Gelephu, noting that it is a new model of cross-border cooperation, with Bangladesh offering scale, skilled labor and global market access, while Bhutan contributes sustainability, innovation and wellness-focused development. 

Related link 

New corridor to boost Bangladesh-Bhutan economic ties  

Bangladesh, Bhutan to strengthen trade via Kurigram-Gelephu economic corridor