Investment increases by 29.38pc during July-Nov, claims BEPZA

Actual investment worth US$154.47 million has been made in the country's Export Processing Zones during the first five months of the fiscal year (FY) 2013 14, according to a Bangladesh Export Processing Zones Authority (BEPZA) press release.

The release stated that the investment inflow increased by 29.38 per cent in July November, 2013 compared with that in the corresponding period of the previous FY.

It was $109.08 million at the same time of FY 2012 13. Despite of various adverse situation of the country's industrial sector, this picture of investment is encouraging, the BEPZA claimed.

In the first five months of the FY 2013 14, $32.14 million has been invested in Chittagong EPZ, while $57.25 million in Dhaka EPZ, $13.57 million in Kamaphuli EPZ, $35.79 million in Adamjee EPZ, $3.92 million in Comilla EPZ, $6.22 million in Uttara EPZ, $1.63 million in Ishwardi EPZ and $3.94 million in Mongla EPZ.

The cumulative investment stood at $2939.95 million up to November 2013 in the operating and under construction enterprises of eight EPZs of BEPZA.

During July November period of current FY, the BEPZA also signed investment agreement with nine new companies. These companies will invest $85.35 million for setting up their industrial units.

Among those nine industrial units, five are 100 per cent foreign-owned. Of those three from China, one from United Kingdom and one from South Korea. There are two joint venture companies from China, Pakistan, Mauritius and Bangladesh and the rest two units are fully Bangladeshi-owned.

The companies will produce garments, garments accessories, tent and bag and tooth brush and ball pen.

The companies will also create employment opportunity for 25,750 Bangladeshi nationals.