Japanese business group has been urged to invest more in Bangladesh in producing diversified items.
Executive Chairman of BEPZA Major General Mohd Habibur Rahman Khan, ndc, psc, made the appeal while a-50 member Japanese business delegation led by Soi Hi Yoshimura, executive vice president of Japan External Trade Organisation (JETRO), visiting Adamjee EPZ on Monday, said a press release.
During the visit, the Japanese business delegation praised the investment-friendly working atmosphere and the operational activities prevailing in the Export Processing Zones (EPZs).
Kei Kawano, country representative of JETRO in Bangladesh, was accompanied the delegation.
The Bangladesh Export Processing Zones Authority (BEPZA) chief briefed the delegation about the overall scenario of EPZs as well as BEPZA and said the BEPZA is an Autonomous Body under the direct supervision of the Prime Minister.
Investors from 37 countries have invested about US$3,269 million in 432 operating industries of eight EPZs under the BEPZA, he pointed out.
The operating enterprises have exported goods worth $41,571 million and created employment opportunities for about 392,000 Bangladeshi workers, the BEPZA chief told the trade team.
The BEPZA chairman said that the BEPZA strictly maintains the various compliance issues, building code and fire-fighting safety.
The BEPZA also regularly monitors the wages and benefits and rights and welfare of the workers, he added.
Industrial-friendly peaceful investment climate is the main attraction of the EPZs and the key strengths of EPZs are amicable cohesive teamwork and harmonious relations among worker-management-owner, he mentioned.
Referring to the memorandum of understanding (MoU) signed between BEPZA and JETRO during the visit of Prime Minister in Japan on last May, the BEPZA chairman said that the BEPZA has kept 40 plots in Uttara, Ishwardi and Mongla EPZs and one factory building each in Comilla and Adamjee EPZs reserved for the Japanese investors.
The BEPZA has already allotted two factory building spaces for two Japanese companies - one in Comilla EPZ and one in Adamjee EPZ, he pointed out.
