Lush greenery surrounds at Karnaphuli EPZ factory

Lunch is over, giving workers a brief respite from their daily routine. Stepping away from their workstations, they wander into a serene, lush garden. Some relax on shaded benches, others chat in lively groups, and a few stroll leisurely through rows of fruit trees. Laughter fills the air, and amidst the abundant greenery, the workday’s weakness vanishes.

This isn’t a city park or a recreational center-it is a private garden spanning the premises of ‘Kenpark Bangladesh Apparel (Pvt.) Ltd.’, an export-oriented garment factory in Chattogram’s Karnaphuli EPZ. Designed with indigenous and exotic fruit trees alongside lined bench seating, it offers an aesthetic space for staff to relax during lunch and dinner breaks.

The unique atmosphere was highlighted during a media visit organized by BEPZA to mark the 20th anniversary of the Karnaphuli EPZ, where local journalists entering through Canpark’s main gate were immediately struck by the setting.

Md. Khalilur Rahman, Director (Human Resources) of Kenpark, told BSS, “This factory operates according to international standards.” It has achieved Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Platinum certification by ensuring an eco-friendly, energy-efficient, and safe work environment, along with comprehensive employee benefits-conditions that are prerequisites for the certification, he said.

Employees work in such a pleasant environment that fatigue rarely sets in. Essential amenities for their well-being are ensured through the joint efforts of the factory management and Bangladesh Export Processing Zones Authority (BEPZA). Gardens have been cultivated within the factory premises, and park-like areas created for recreation, fostering good mental health among workers and enhancing the quality of their work, reports BSS.

Rahman further noted that Kenpark’s main units span plots 69-85 in Sector 3 and plots 14-23 in Sector 2 of the Karnaphuli EPZ. Among them, “Kenpark Unit-2”-recognized as the “green factory” in question-covers an area of approximately 180,130 square feet.

Twenty percent of the site remains open space, featuring landscaped gardens and parks. The entire factory is air-conditioned. At present , around 11,000 workers and staff are employed here, 60 percent of whom are women. Facilities include an on-site medical center for workers and educational scholarships for their children.

This green expanse not only pleases the eye but also offers moments of respite amid the daily hustle of work. After long hours inside the factory, workers find great solace in sitting in the shade of trees, chatting with colleagues, or strolling through the gardens.

Rezaul Karim, a sewing machine operator at the factory, told BSS, “The environment in our factory is so good that I never feel tired. I work in a centrally air-conditioned environment, yet just a few steps outside, I find a realm of greenery. The garden’s trees bear various fruits-mangoes, jujubes, guavas, and sapodillas-which we can pick and eat ourselves. It feels like a truly wonderful thing.”

Factory officials say the initiative is part of a broader plan to build an eco-friendly, sustainable work environment. As part of the process toward international certification standards, particular emphasis was placed on greening the premises and creating open green spaces for employees.

This approach covers several areas, including energy and water conservation, waste management, the use of eco-friendly materials, and indoor environmental quality. The fruit garden in the factory courtyard stands as a visible expression of this broader green vision.

A female worker at the factory shared her thoughts: “We’re occupied with work all day. Being able to sit in this garden for a while after lunch makes both my body and mind feel lighter. I used to think of a factory as just a place for work. Coming here, I feel like our need for rest and enjoyment has been considered alongside the work itself.”

Amid the factory’s busy atmosphere, these small joys have become something special for the workers. In an urban industrial setting where concrete and machinery usually dominate, this expansive green garden gives employees a chance to reconnect with nature.

Kenpark Bangladesh Apparel (Pvt.) Ltd. has been operating in the Karnaphuli EPZ since 2007. It is a joint venture between Sri Lanka and the United States, whose initial investment in Bangladesh dates back to 1984 at the Chattogram EPZ (CEPZ).

The Karnaphuli EPZ was established in 2006, and as part of a strategy to expand operations on a larger scale, this facility began operations in 2007 as the fourth factory in the zone. The factory primarily manufactures bottom wear (trousers), with a daily production capacity of 100,000 pieces.

Its products are exported to the United States, the EU, the United Kingdom, Japan, and Australia, with many of the world’s top brands among its buyers. The factory’s export volume for the 2025-26 fiscal year stands at 390 million US dollars.