The war in the Middle East has begun to stall work at Bangladesh’s National Special Economic Zone, an industrial corridor spread across Mirsharai, Sitakunda and Feni’s Sonagazi. Contractors say they are receiving less than half the 300,000 litres of diesel they need each month, slowing both production and construction.

According to the Bangladesh Economic Zones Authority (BEZA), 17 factories are now operational at the zone. A further three await going into production, while 20 more are still under construction. The fuel shortage has forced contractors to keep heavy machinery idle, delaying work across the site.

BEZA sources also noted that works on infrastructure are ongoing, funded by a World Bank credit of about BDT 41 billion and BEZA’s own resources. The programme includes 35 km of roads, 25 km of drains, two bridges and a boundary wall. Work began in the 2021–22 fiscal year and was due to be completed by 2027. The recent fuel shortage has disrupted that schedule.

National Development Engineers Ltd (NDE) is building the 22.109 km boundary wall, three entry gates, three guard rooms, 22 watchtowers and a 22.109 km HBB road as part of the package. The contractor’s diesel-hungry heavy machinery has been largely idled by the fuel shortage, inflicting financial losses.

Azizul Haque, NDE’s project manager, told Bonik Barta that the company requires 19,000 to 22,000 litres of diesel a day but has averaged only 7,000 to 9,000 litres over the past two weeks. Most of its rented heavy equipment is now idle, he said, pushing the project off schedule and causing financial losses.

“We need around two to three thousand litres of fuel daily but are not getting it,” said Md Asif, project manager of Berger Paint, which is building a factory at the zone. “Construction is being partially disrupted.” He said BEZA had already been informed of the situation.

Saifur Rahman, project director of the National Special Economic Zone at Mirsharai, said: “The fuel crisis is a global problem, and our development work is feeling it. But we are in constant contact with Petrobangla.”