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Factories under the Bangladesh Export Processing Zones Authority (BEPZA) contributed US$8.22 billion to the country's total export earnings in the fiscal year (FY) 2024-25, accounting for 17.03 per cent of the national export volume, according to official data.
The country's overall export earnings stood at $48.28 billion during the period, as per statistics from the Export Promotion Bureau (EPB).
BEPZA data show that exports from its eight Export Processing Zones (EPZs) and the BEPZA Economic Zone rose by 16.22 per cent in FY25, increasing from $7.07 billion in the previous fiscal year.
Since its inception, BEPZA has facilitated cumulative exports worth $119 billion, with goods shipped to over 120 countries worldwide.
Besides export growth, employment in BEPZA-run industrial zones also increased significantly. As of June 2025, a total of 533,527 Bangladeshi workers were employed in EPZs and the Economic Zone - up from 500,110 in June 2024 - marking the creation of over 33,000 new jobs.
The employment surge was driven by the start of new industrial operations and the expansion of existing factories.
BEPZA Executive Director Abu Sayeed Md Anwar Parvez said 33 new investment agreements were signed in FY25, with proposed investments totalling $497.48 million and a projected employment generation of 59,408.
"Investors came from countries including China, South Korea, the UK, Ireland, the British Virgin Islands, Singapore, India, the UAE, and Bangladesh.
"These companies are engaged in manufacturing a range of products, including readymade garments, electronics, footwear, leather goods, packaging materials, agro-products, tents, wigs, toys, and light engineering products," Mr Pervez said.
He added that BEPZA's continued focus on diversification, investor support services, and the expansion of industrial space has positioned it as a major contributor to Bangladesh's export performance and employment generation.
In terms of fixed asset investment, enterprises within BEPZA invested $292.77 million in FY25 in capital machinery, construction materials, and related infrastructure - slightly down from $350.93 million in FY24.
The decline was attributed to adjustments in both global and domestic economic conditions. However, BEPZA remains optimistic about a rebound in investment in the coming fiscal year.
At present, BEPZA oversees 563 industrial units - 450 of which are operational, while 113 are under implementation. Among the active enterprises,
33 per cent manufacture readymade garments, 18 per cent produce garment accessories, and 9 per cent are involved in textile production.
The remaining 40 per cent produce a variety of non-traditional export items such as medical equipment, electronics, furniture, and fashion accessories.
BEPZA currently operates eight EPZs across the country, along with the BEPZA Economic Zone located in Mirsarai, Chattogram. Infrastructure work is underway for two new EPZs in Jashore and Patuakhali, with plot allocations expected to begin by next year.
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