EPZ exports grow double-digit in Jul-Apr

Export earnings from the country's eight export processing zones (EPZs) maintained a substantial growth over the months of current fiscal year (FY), despite a slow trend in the overall overseas sales proceeds, officials said.
They attributed the uninterrupted utility services that helped keep smooth and continuous production and a wide range of diversified products base in the EPZs to better export performance.
Bangladesh Export Processing Zones Authority (BEPZA)  registered a 10.77 per cent growth in exports during July-April period of FY 2014-15 compared to that of last fiscal, according to BEPZA officials.
During the period, the enterprises within the EPZs exported goods worth US$ 4.94 billion, up from $ 4.46 billion in the same period of FY 2013-14.
On the other hand, the country's total earnings stood at $ 25.30 billion, marking a 2.63 per cent growth during July-April period, according to Export Promotion Bureau (EPB) data.
The eight EPZs contributed 20 to 24 per cent of the country's total export earnings during the last couple of years, BEPZA officials said.
"Earnings from the EPZs are increasing compared to outside industries mainly because of uninterrupted production environment, good management system and diversified products base," General Manager (Public Relations) of BEPZA Nazma Binte Alamgir told the FE.
Moreover, EPZ enterprises have made a good name among foreign buyers as a competitive manufacturing base, she said adding that there is no labour unrest as workers are satisfied with the wages and benefits that are higher and better than those in outside industries.
"We provide a one-stop support system - customs, banking and uninterrupted power supply -- all can be found under one umbrella that help the companies to meet their lead times," Ms Nazma said.
The recent political turmoil, that affected the industries outside the EPZs, failed to affect the production inside the EPZ factories, she noted.
Eight EPZs in the country accommodate some 432 industrial units manufacturing 30 to 35 kinds of products of which 328 industries are non-RMGs (readymade garments), according to BEPZA officials.
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