A bold new economic roadmap is taking shape in the Kasba-Akhaura region of Brahmanbaria a vision championed by Kabir Ahmed Bhuiyan, who has long believed that development must begin wherever it can most directly improve people’s lives. His persistent advocacy has now begun to bear fruit, with the government granting preliminary approval for establishing an Export Processing Zone (EPZ) in the area.
For Kabir Ahmed Bhuiyan, this EPZ is far more than an industrial zone. He sees it as the foundation of a major economic transformation, one that demands strategic planning, strong infrastructure and smart utilisation of international investment. He says he is ready to bring in foreign support if needed, noting his existing ties with senior leadership in countries including Norway, who have expressed interest in investing in Bangladesh.
His goal is clear: to create employment opportunities so that the youth of Brahmanbaria no longer remain unemployed or feel compelled to migrate abroad. He envisions Kasba, Tinlakhpir and surrounding areas becoming a strategic investment gateway for South Asia, describing Kasba as the future industrial and commercial hub of eastern Bangladesh.
Kasba already holds a powerful geographic advantage. With the Akhaura railway junction, Ashuganj river port, the Asian Highway and national highways converging nearby, the region is emerging as a natural logistics hub. From here, cargo can move quickly to Dhaka, Chattogram, Sylhet and even Agartala in India significantly reducing export and import costs. This connectivity positions Kasba as an ideal centre for regional trade.
Another major strength is its proximity to India’s vast northeastern market. Through the Akhaura land port and cross‑border rail and road links, Kasba is directly connected to a consumer base of 45 million people. This makes it a highly effective entry point for Bangladesh’s east‑focused trade strategy.
Kabir Ahmed Bhuiyan has long advocated for establishing a 500-1,000 acre EPZ or SEZ in Kasba. He believes the region is perfectly suited for export‑oriented industries, regional supply chains and innovation‑driven manufacturing ecosystems. Sectors such as textiles, engineering, electronics, automotive components, FMCG and packaging could all thrive here. With proper planning, essential infrastructure water, electricity, gas and roads can be developed efficiently.
The Kasba-Brahmanbaria region also offers one of the country’s strongest labour pools: skilled, hardworking and cost‑effective, with the ability to adapt quickly to new technologies. This makes the area ideal for both labour‑intensive and technology‑driven industries.
Government policy support will play a crucial role. Under BEZA and BEPZA guidelines, foreign investors can access tax holidays, duty‑free benefits, profit repatriation and one‑stop services. Kabir Ahmed Bhuiyan believes these incentives could turn Kasba into a major destination for international investment.
In his broader vision, Kasba is not just an industrial zone it is the living embodiment of the Rebuild Bangladesh philosophy. With its logistics potential, export diversification, multi‑sector industries, technological capacity, regional connectivity and global investment prospects, Kasba could become the centre of Bangladesh’s next industrial revolution.
Under the leadership of Alhaj Kabir Ahmed Bhuiyan, this transformation represents more than regional development it signals the beginning of a new economic chapter for Bangladesh. In his words, Kasba will emerge as a new gateway for international investment, a new engine for an export‑driven economy, and a central hub for South and Southeast Asian trade.
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