Dhaka, Jan. 27 -- Bangladesh's interim government has announced plans to establish the country's first free trade zone and a dedicated defence industrial park in Chattogram, in a move aimed at accelerating exports, strengthening supply chains and attracting foreign investment.

The decisions were approved on Monday at a meeting of the governing board of the Bangladesh Economic Zones Authority (BEZA), chaired by the chief adviser, Muhammad Yunus, at the Chief Adviser's Office in Dhaka.

Under the proposal, a free trade zone (FTZ) covering around 600 to 650 acres will be developed in Anwara, on the outskirts of Chattogram. The zone would operate as an offshore customs territory, allowing goods to be imported, stored, processed or re-exporte...