FY25 first half exports reach 22.41pc: BEPZA accounts for 29pc FDI in last FY
Staff Reporter :
Mercantile exports from the country’s Export Processing Zones (EPZs) surged by 22.41 percent during the July-December period of the current financial year 2024-25.
In the first six months of FY25, the Bangladesh Export Processing Zones Authority (BEPZA) exported products worth $4.126 billion, up from $3.371 billion in H1FY24.
Overall export earnings recorded a 12.84 percent year-on-year growth in the first half of the current fiscal year 2024-25 (FY25), totalling $24.53 billion, compared to $21.74 billion during the same period last year.
BEPZA contributed 16 percent of the nation’s total exports in the previous fiscal year 2023-24. Of the $48.84 billion in total exports, goods worth $7.07 billion were exported from BEPZA-operated zones.
The information was disclosed on Monday during a press briefing held at the BEPZA complex in the city.
BEPZA Member (Investment) Md. Ashraful Kabir, in a presentation, highlighted the achievements and future plans of BEPZA. He mentioned that 48 percent of the products manufactured in EPZs are diversified.
Since its inception, BEPZA has contributed Tk 12.16 billion to the national treasury up to December 2024.
BEPZA Executive Chairman, Major General Abul Kalam Mohammad Ziaur Rahman, briefed reporters about the current export position. In his address, he stated that BEPZA accounted for 29 percent of the total Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) in the country during the fiscal year 2023-24.
However, investments in EPZs declined by 22.33 percent, falling from $162.66 million in H1FY24 to $126.33 million in the corresponding period of this fiscal year.
Despite global challenges, BEPZA signed agreements with
28 foreign companies to invest $568.49 million in Bangladesh during this period.
A total of 38 countries have invested in the Export Processing Zones under BEPZA. Among these, there are 108 Chinese companies, 61 South Korean, 29 Japanese, 19 Indian, 19 UK-based, 17 US-based, and 7 Sri Lankan companies.
Ziaur Rahman highlighted uninterrupted energy supply as a key challenge but expressed optimism that overcoming this hurdle would ensure a steady flow of investments. “We currently have nearly 50 investment proposals,” he added.
The EPZs produce a wide range of products, including tents, bicycles, cosmetics, Hollywood masks, camping furniture, golf shafts, wigs, mannequins, jute products, energy-saving bulbs, metal products, toys, eyeglasses, camera lenses, mobile parts, car seat heaters, bamboo coffins, PPE, face masks, bridal gowns, gift boxes, eyelashes, cartons, PVC aprons, safety shoes, bags, and luggage.
BEPZA members Engineer Md. Imtiaz Hossain and ANM Foyzul Haque, along with BEPZA Director (Public Relations) ASM Anwar Pervez, also spoke at the event.