Twelve more firms in the BEPZA Economic Zone (EZ), located within the National Special Economic Zone (NSEZ) in Chattogram, are likely to go into commercial operation in this year.
As of now, a total of 41 companies have signed agreements to set up industries in the BEPZA EZ at Mirersarai, with a total proposed investment of $913.17 million. These ventures will create 131,577 employment opportunities.
The companies will produce a diverse array of products, including shoe accessories, packaging materials, finished lubricants, camping equipment, outdoor products, tents, garment accessories, hair fashion accessories, cotton products, hospital products, bags, mattresses, socks, and more, alongside garments.
To date, four of the 41 companies have already commenced their commercial operations.
In a recent interview with BSS, Major General Abul Kalam Mohammad Ziaur Rahman, Executive Chairman of Bangladesh Export Processing Zones Authority (BEPZA), said the development work of the BEPZA EZ would be completed within this year.
"The EZ has received good response from foreign investors, especially from Chinese investors. Many investors have already inked land lease agreements while many are in the pipeline. The construction work of 18 firms is going on in the EZ. Out of them, 10 to 12 firms are expected to go into commercial operation within this year," he added.
Chinese investment in this EZ is rising, driven partly by tariff policies of the USA and the competitive labour market, he mentioned.
Product diversification, along with high-end and tech-based products, is a priority in this economic zone, he pointed out.
The BEPZA executive chairman said that BEPZA evaluates several factors before approving any application, including proposed investments, employment opportunities, export potential, and production-related aspects such as product types, environmental impact, and the required consumption of electricity, water, and gas.
According to BEPZA, out of 41 companies from various countries, 24 of them are Chinese firms.
Between August 2024 and March 2025, BEPZA received proposals from 34 potential Chinese investors. From July 2024 to March 2025, eight Chinese companies signed lease agreements, with a proposed investment of $153.82 million.
These companies have plans to manufacture solar accessories, bags, luggage, light engineering products, readymade garments, silicon dioxide, flexible intermediate bulk containers and packaging.
The BEPZA Executive Chairman expects that Chinese investment will drive diversification beyond readymade garments, with a focus on sectors such as renewable energy and raw material production for solar panels.
He also said the upcoming Bangladesh Investment Summit-2025, scheduled for April 7-10, is expected to attract more investors from different countries, including China.
Expressing satisfaction over the current law and order situation in Bangladesh following the mass uprising and political changeover, he said due to the government's strict measures and initiatives, the situation has now come to a satisfactory level while foreign investors are now coming to invest in Bangladesh.
"Many Chinese and Korean investors have already invested in the EPZs. We're now eyeing investments from European countries and also from the rest of the world. With the improved image of the country, I believe European and other nations will also increase their investments here," he added.
