Bangladesh Export Processing Zones Authority (BEPZA) posted a 2.2 percent growth in exports in the fiscal year (FY) 2025-26, outperforming the country’s overall export performance despite a slowdown in the global economy and a slight decline in Bangladesh’s total exports.
Exports from its export processing zones (EPZs) reached US$8.41 billion during FY26, accounting for 17.51 percent of Bangladesh’s total exports of US$48 billion, said a press release.
In the previous fiscal year, exports from BEPZA-run zones stood at US$8.22 billion out of the country’s total exports of US$48.28 billion.
While Bangladesh’s overall exports declined by 0.58 percent in FY26, exports from BEPZA zones recorded positive growth, highlighting the resilience of enterprises operating in the zones.
BEPZA also achieved its highest-ever investment commitment in a single fiscal year by signing lease agreements with 36 companies from China, South Korea, the British Virgin Islands, Singapore, the United Arab Emirates, Samoa and Bangladesh.
The proposed investment amounts to US$717.71 million. Once the projects go into full commercial production, they are expected to generate employment for 75,744 Bangladeshi nationals.
The new investments cover a wide range of diversified industries, including bags and luggage, fashion accessories, textiles, electrical and electronic products, Bluetooth headphones, aircraft amenity kits, toy and fishing drones, lightweight cargo drones, footwear, leather goods, light engineering products, camping furniture, greenhouse hydroponic tents, agricultural products, processed foods and household items.
BEPZA said growing investor confidence has encouraged existing investors to expand their operations. It cited China’s Kaixi Group as an example.
After investing US$60.85 million in Kaixi Lingerie Bangladesh, the group signed another lease agreement to invest an additional US$40.50 million in Kaixi Garments Bangladesh.
Excluding working capital, actual investment worth US$286.46 million was made in BEPZA zones during FY26 in the form of capital machinery, construction materials and other assets.
According to Bangladesh Bank data, BEPZA recorded net foreign direct investment (FDI) inflows of US$221.58 million during the first nine months of FY26 (July 2025 to March 2026), accounting for 19.61 percent of the country’s total FDI net inflows during the period.
Employment in BEPZA zones also reached a record high during the fiscal year.
A total of 25,164 new jobs were created, raising cumulative employment from 533,527 at the end of June 2025 to 558,691 by the end of June 2026.
BEPZA said its diversified industrial base continues to reduce dependence on the readymade garment sector.
Of the 451 operational enterprises, 33 percent are engaged in garment manufacturing, 18 percent in garment accessories and 8 percent in textiles, while the remaining 41 percent produce a broad range of diversified products.
Products manufactured in BEPZA-run zones are currently exported to 129 countries, reflecting the expanding global reach and competitiveness of Bangladesh’s export-oriented industries.
BEPZA currently operates eight Export Processing Zones and the BEPZA Economic Zone.
As of June 2026, cumulative investment in BEPZA zones stood at US$7.37 billion, while cumulative exports reached US$127.42 billion.
A total of 566 industrial enterprises are under BEPZA, including 451 in commercial operation and 115 under implementation.