Dhaka, Dec. 6 -- Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina is scheduled to virtually inaugurate a Japanese economic zone, to be called Bangladesh Special Economic Zone, at Araihazar in Narayanganj today (Tuesday).

This was informed by Bangladesh Economic Zones Authority (Beza) Executive Chairman Shaikh Yusuf Harun at a views-exchange meeting organised with the Development Journalists Forum of Bangladesh (DJFB) at his office in the capital yesterday.

"A total of 40 companies, 30 are from Japan, have shown their interest to invest in the zone. If the entire economic zone is opened, there will be an investment of $1.5 billion," he said.

"One lakh people will be employed there," he said, adding that investment agreements have already been signed with S...