Economy of Sylhet Division

Economy of Sylhet

The Location of Sylhet on the Map of Bangladesh

Statistics
GDP|

* $16 billion (Nominal, 2019)
* $40 billion (PPP, 2019)

GDP per capita

| $3050+ (Nominal, 2019)
$6,250 (PPP, 2019)

Population below poverty line

| 6.5%
Unemployment| 7.80% (2010)

The economy of Sylhet is the 5th largest in the People's Republic of Bangladesh. It has a gross state product of $16 billion in nominal terms, and $40 billion in terms of purchasing power parity, making it the third largest behind Dhaka, Chittagong, Khulna and Rajshahi. Since the formation of Bangladesh, Sylhet has been regarded as the spiritual and cultural center of the country, and often termed as the agricultural capital of Bangladesh. Due to vast natural resources and emerging metropolitan, Sylhet is a major economic hub of the country alongside Dhaka and Chittagong. In recent years, Sylhet is experiencing major infrastructural developments, and projected to be the forefront of Bangladesh's economic growth.[citation needed] Sylhet is known for its tea plantations.[1] About 80% of the country's agar processing factories are located in Barlekha Upazila.[2]

As of 2019, Sylhet's per capita GDP is $3,050 in nominal terms and 6,250 in purchasing power parity terms, which is the second highest in Bangladesh.[citation needed] According to the World Bank, Sylhet and Chittagong have the lowest incidence of poverty in Bangladesh.[3]

## Economy

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Sylhet region is the most enriched area of Bangladesh. A vast quantity of proven gas reserve and Bangladesh's only oil field in located in the region.[citation needed]

### Natural gas

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Sylhet contains a vast amount of proven natural gas reserve. As of 2024, new gas reserves has been discovered in well number 7 of the Sylhet Gas Field, producing 6 to 7 million cubic feet of gas per day (MMCFD). More gas reserves have been discovered in well number 8 in Kailashtila Gas Field estimated to be 21 MMCFD. Back in January 2024 a new gas structure was found in well number 2 at Rashidpur, which has a reserve of 157 billion cubic feet (BCF). If all upgrades are completed by 2025, a total of 250 MMCFD gas can be added to the national grid.[4] There are a total of eight gas fields located in the region. Total reserve of gas fields of the region is about 14 trillion cubit feet. According to Jalalabad Gas System Limited, The company's annual revenue earning is around 5.66 billion.[citation needed]

### Remittance

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Surma River Sylhet

Remittance is one of the biggest source behind Sylhetis economic growth. Many Sylhetis that live abroad live in many countries, notably countries in the Middle East such as Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, etc., France, the United States, and the United Kingdom. Many remittances are sent from the United Kingdom to Sylhet unlike many other countries as the majority, believed to be around 90-95%, of the British Bangladeshi population claim they are from Sylhet. The remittance of financial year 2012–13 is estimated around $10 billion. Numerous projects and businesses in the city and in large towns have been funded by Sylhetis living and working abroad. As of 1986, an estimated 95 percent of the ethnic British Bangladeshis originated from or had ancestors from the Sylhet region.[5] The city receives a significant portion of the country's annual remittances, which have driven growth in real estate and construction.[6] A number of shopping centres, restaurants and hotels have opened as a result.[citation needed]

### Tourism

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A luxurious 5 star hotel in Srimongol

Sylhet is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Bangladesh. The province offers tourists with variety of options ranging from natural to commercial. The province is home to some of the most luxurious Hotels, Resorts and Shopping Malls in Bangladesh. Sylhet also relies on religious tourism, with thousands of devotees visiting its Sufi shrines annually, as well as ecotourism in its broader natural hinterland. Nature resorts have been built in the city's outskirts.[citation needed]

### Fisheries

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A large portion of fishes in Bangladesh comes from rivers and Haor region, among them Hakaluki Haor, Tanguar Haor including many more rivers in Sylhet meet the demand of fishes in this region.

#### Tanguar haor

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Main article: Tanguar haor

Tanguar haor plays an important role in fish production as it functions as a 'mother fishery' for the country.[7][8] It is the source of livelihood for more than 40,000 people.[7]

Every winter the haor is home to about 200 types of migratory birds. The haor is an important source of fish. In 1999–2000, the government earned 7,073,184 takas as revenue just from fisheries of the haor. There are more than 140 species of fresh water fish in the haor. The more predominant among them are: ayir, Cat fish, baim, tara, gutum, gulsha, tengra, titna, garia, beti, kakia.[8]

Hakaluki, the largest Hawor in BangladeshMalnicherra Tea Garden in Sylhet

### Tea industry

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The area around Sylhet is a traditional tea growing area. The Surma Valley is covered with terraces of tea gardens and tropical forests. Srimangal is known as the tea capital of Bangladesh; for miles around, tea gardens are visible on the hill slopes. As a result, Bangladesh Tea Research Institute (BTRI) is an autonomous organisation under the Bangladesh Tea Board (BTB).[9][10][11] have been established here. Today, Bangladesh has 172 commercial tea estates, including many of the world's largest working plantations.[12][13] Among which, Sylhet has over 150 tea gardens, including three of the largest tea plantations in the world, both in terms of area and production. The area Nearly 300,000 workers, of which more than 75% are women, are employed on the tea estates. The industry accounts for 3% of global tea production, and employs more than 4 million people.[14]

Tea is the second largest export oriented cash crop of Bangladesh, following jute. The industry accounts for 1% of national GDP.[15] Including Moulvibazar, Habiganj, Sylhet, this area has three Tea-producing districts.

## References

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1. ^ "Sylhet". Encyclopaedia Britannica.
2. ^ Siddiquee, Iqbal (19 October 2011). "Agar farming sees export markets". The Daily Star.
3. ^ "Poverty Maps of Bangladesh 2010" (PDF). World Bank. Retrieved 4 July 2020.
4. ^ Express, The Financial. "New gas reserve found in Sylhet well". The Financial Express. Retrieved 7 January 2025.
5. ^ Gardner, Katy (July 1992). "International migration and the rural context in Sylhet". New Community. 18 (4): 579–590\. doi:10.1080/1369183X.1992.9976331.579-590&rft.date=1992-07&rft_id=info:doi/10.1080/1369183X.1992.9976331&rft.aulast=Gardner&rft.aufirst=Katy&rfr_id=info:sid/en.wikipedia.org:Economy+of+Sylhet+Division" class="Z3988">
6. ^ "'Londonis' build big in Bangladesh". BBC News. 22 December 2011.
7. ^ a b "Tanguar Haor". Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation. Archived from the original on 14 November 2007. Retrieved 23 November 2007.
8. ^ a b Talukdar, Nixon (2012). "Tanguar Haor". In Islam, Sirajul; Jamal, Ahmed A. (eds.). Banglapedia: National Encyclopedia of Bangladesh (Second ed.). Asiatic Society of Bangladesh.
9. ^ Minuddin Ahmed; AFM Badrul Alam (January 2003). "Bangladesh Tea Research Institute". In Sirajul Islam (ed.). Banglapedia. Dhaka: Asiatic Society of Bangladesh. ISBN 984-32-0576-6. Retrieved 12 May 2016.
10. ^ "Brain drain dims achievements". The Daily Star. 1 November 2012. Retrieved 18 November 2016.
11. ^ "Bangladesh tea trade gets new brew". BBC News. Retrieved 18 November 2016.
12. ^ Dr. Kazi Muzafar Ahammed. "Investment for Sustainable Development of Bangladesh Tea Industry – An Empirical Study" (PDF). Bangladesh Economic Association. Retrieved 3 April 2015.
13. ^ "Tea Gardens in Bangladesh". bangladesh.com. Retrieved 24 March 2015.
14. ^ "Tea". scribd.com. Retrieved 24 March 2015.
15. ^ "Tea @ Global Trade Concern – Bangladesh". Tea.globaltradeconcern.com. Retrieved 3 April 2015.

* v
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Articles related to Sylhet Division

Capital: Sylhet

Administrative areas|

* Districts
* Habiganj
* Karimganj
* Moulvibazar
* Sunamganj
* Sylhet
* Upazilas
* Constituencies

Attractions and sites|

* Ali Amjad's Clock
* Bangladesh Last House
* Bichnakandi
* Citrus Research Center
* Haor
* Hakaluki
* Tanguar
* Harong Hurong
* Khadim Nagar
* Madani Square
* Museum of Rajas'
* Osmani Museum
* Ratargul
* Tilagor Eco Park
* Hum Hum
* Jaflong
* Jaintia Rajbari
* Kala pahar
* Lalakhal
* Lawachara
* Madhabkunda waterfall
* Madhobpur Lake
* Malnicherra
* Rema-Kalenga
* Satchari

Places of worship|

* Ghayebi Dighi Masjid
* Goyghor Mosque
* Jiladpur Mosque
* Madrasah
* Bagbari Najibia
* Jamia Tawakkulia Renga
* Sagornal Senior
* Sujaul Senior
* Shah Jalal Dargah
* Sylhet Shahi Eidgah
* Shankarpasha Shahi Masjid
* Pagla Jame Masjid

Cuisine|

* Akhni
* Aloo chaat
* Beef Hatkora
* Aash Bash
* Chicken tikka
* Forash
* Hatkhora
* Handesh
* Hutki Shira
* Lai haag
* Nunor Bora
* Phall
* Seven Color Tea
* Soft Khichuri
* Sunga fitha
* Sylheti cuisine
* Thoikor Tenga
* Tusha Shinni

Economy|

* Chhatak Cement Factory
* Fenchuganj Combined Cycle Power Plant
* Tea production
* Bangladesh Tea Research Institute
* Sreemangal tea auction centre
* Shahjalal Fertiliser Factory
* Gas fields
* Bibiana
* Chhatak
* Fenchuganj
* Habiganj
* Kailashtilla
* Jalalabad
* Rashidpur
* Sunetra
* Sylhet
* Business of British Bangladeshis
* Remittance

Rivers|

* Barak
* Khowai
* Kushiyara
* Makunda
* Manu
* Piyain
* Sonai
* Surma

Culture|

* Dhamail
* Ghatu
* Manipuri dance
* Sylheti literature
* Baul music
* Kemusas
* Puthi
* Srihatta Literary Society
* Sylhet Gitika
* Sylheti Nagri
* World Sylhet Convention

Education |

* AIBA
* Govt. Alia Madrasah
* Leading University
* Metropolitan University
* North East University
* SUST
* Sylhet International University
* Sylhet Agricultural University

* medical colleges
* Board of Intermediate and Secondary Education

Sports|

* Beanibazar SC
* East Zone
* Government Boys' HS School Ground
* Habiganj Jalal Stadium
* Saifur Rahman Stadium
* Sylhet District Stadium
* Sylhet Division cricket team
* Sylhet International Cricket Stadium
* Sylhet Thunder
* Spartan MK Gallactico Sylhet FC

Transport|

* Assam Bengal Railway
* Akhaura–Kulaura–Chhatak line
* Badarpur Junction
* Cherra Companyganj State Railways
* Dullabcherra
* Kalni Express
* Karimganj Junction
* Keane Bridge
* Mahisasan
* N2
* Osmani International Airport
* Parabat Express
* Patharkandi
* Ratabari
* Shamshernagar Airport
* Sylhet railway station
* Sylhet bus terminal

Organisations|

* Sylhet City Corporation
* Sylhet Metropolitan Police
* Greater Sylhet Development and Welfare Council in UK

History|

* Samatata
* Kamarupa
* Jaintia Kingdom
* Gour Kingdom
* Laur Kingdom
* Taraf Kingdom
* Pratapgarh Kingdom
* Conquest of Sylhet
* Usmangarh
* Mughal Empire
* Bengal Subah
* Company Raj
* Muharram Rebellion
* Revolt of Radharam
* British Raj
* Earthquake of 1869
* Earthquake of 1897
* Sylhet referendum
* Partition of India
* East Bengal
* East Pakistan
* Nankar Rebellion
* Bangladesh Liberation War
* Naria massacre
* Galimpur massacre
* Burunga massacre
* Adityapur massacre
* Battle of Gazipur
* Battle of Sylhet
* Dargah bombing
* South Surma bombings
* Kulaura train accident

Others|

* Sylheti
* List of people from Sylhet
* Sylheti language
* British Bangladeshi

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