TBT DESK: Bhaluka, long known as one of Bangladesh’s fastest-growing industrial belts, is witnessing a new wave of transformation. Best Holdings PLC, the publicly listed company behind Dhaka’s Le Méridien, is investing heavily in the region with a series of international-standard projects – from a five-star Marriott hotel to a world-renowned British boarding school.

At the heart of this development stands Marriott Bhaluka, the country’s first five-star hotel in an industrial zone. Scheduled to open by June next year, the 228-room property will feature state-of-the-art facilities, including smart workstations, executive lounges, banquet halls, fitness and spa services, and entertainment spaces.

“Business is no longer Dhaka-centric,” said Md Abul Kalam Azad, Company Secretary of Best Holdings. “Bhaluka has become a strategic hub for investment, and our hotel is designed to bridge industry with world-class hospitality.”

Built on 4.47 acres in Mawna Hobirbari, just 60 kilometres north of Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport, the hotel is expected to serve both local entrepreneurs and visiting foreign delegates. Best Holdings, which signed its partnership with Marriott International in 2021, says construction is already 80 % complete.

Beyond hospitality, the group has also invested in Haileybury Bhaluka, Bangladesh’s first international boarding school chain. Run by Best Holdings’ subsidiary, IconX Ltd, the school opened its doors in August 2024 and already hosts its second cohort of students. Classes currently run from Grade 6 to 9, with plans to expand to Grade 12.

Haileybury, with a 160-year legacy from the UK, counts among the world’s most prestigious schools. Each year, over 60 % of its graduates progress to elite universities such as Harvard, MIT, LSE, Oxford and Cambridge. In Bhaluka, every student so far has received scholarships ranging from 25 to 75 %.

“Our aim is not just academic excellence but also personal growth, leadership and preparing Bangladeshi students to be global citizens,” said a Haileybury representative. The school has already introduced opportunities such as an MIT summer programme and hosted Bangladesh’s first Harvard Summer School information session. Students have also participated in international youth programmes, including the Duke of Edinburgh Award in Thailand.

Best Holdings is also building a luxury resort under Marriott’s Luxury Collection brand, spread across 53 acres in Bhaluka. With 140 rooms, exclusive villas, recreation centres, sports courts, and signature restaurants, the resort is designed to attract affluent tourists, business leaders and holidaymakers.

Collectively, these projects are expected to create more than 1,000 direct jobs in hospitality, education and administration, while indirectly benefiting local suppliers, logistics and transport businesses.

“These initiatives are more than business ventures,” Azad added. “They reflect the shifting economic landscape of Bangladesh and highlight Bhaluka’s emergence as a new industrial and commercial powerhouse.”

Once complete, Best Holdings believes its ventures in Bhaluka will not only uplift the local economy but also help the country earn valuable foreign exchange by attracting international guests, students and investors.