BEPZA contributes 17.03pc to export, adds over 33,000 jobs
Business Report :
The Bangladesh Export Processing Zones Authority (BEPZA) increased its contribution to national exports to 17.03 per cent in FY2024-25, up from 15.9 per cent in the previous fiscal year. Over 33,000 new jobs were created in FY25, reflecting BEPZA’s continued role in employment generation.
During this period, goods worth US$8.22 billion were exported from the EPZs and the BEPZA Economic Zone-marking a 16.22 per cent rise from the US$7.07 billion exported in FY2023-24.
Since its inception, BEPZA has exported goods worth a total of US$119 billion, with products reaching over 120 countries worldwide.
New investment agreements signed during the year are expected to drive further growth. As of June 2025, total employment in the eight EPZs and the BEPZA Economic Zone stood at 533,527, up from 500,110 in June 2024. This rise in employment is attributed to the launch of new enterprises and the expansion of existing ones.In FY 2024-25, enterprises operating within BEPZA’s EPZs and Economic Zone invested US$ 292.77 million in capital machinery, construction materials, and other fixed assets (excluding working capital). This figure is slightly lower than the US$ 350.93 million invested in FY 2023-24. BEPZA views this as a temporary slowdown linked to global and local adjustments. The Authority remains optimistic that the groundwork laid during this period will drive a rebound in investment in the coming quarters.
The signing of 33 new investment agreements in FY 2024-25 marks a significant milestone for BEPZA. Investors from China, South Korea, the United Kingdom, Ireland, the British Virgin Islands, Singapore, India, the United Arab Emirates, and Bangladesh entered into agreements to set up industrial units. The total proposed investment under these agreements is US$ 497.48 million, with an estimated employment potential of 59,408 Bangladeshi nationals.
These enterprises will produce a wide range of goods, including readymade garments, electronics, agro-based products, footwear, leather goods, packaging materials, tents, wigs, light engineering products, toys, and composite items. Once operational, these investments are expected to accelerate the actual investment inflow in FY 2025-26.
At present, there are 563 industrial units under BEPZA, of which 450 are operational and 113 are under implementation. Among the operational enterprises, 33 per cent produce readymade garments, 18 per cent garment accessories, and 9 per cent textile products. The remaining 40 per cent export a wide variety of goods ranging from electronics and medical equipment to furniture and fashion accessories.
Mentionable that BEPZA currently operates 8 EPZs across the country and the BEPZA Economic Zone in Mirsarai, Chattogram. Additionally, to attract more investment, the development of two new EPZs in Jashore and Patuakhali is progressing rapidly. BEPZA expects to begin plot allocation for investors in these zones by next year.
