United News of Bangladesh

The devastating fire that broke out at a factory in the Chattogram Export Processing Zone (CEPZ) was brought under control after 17 hours of frantic efforts, the Fire Service said on Friday morning. A total of 25 firefighting units from several stations managed to bring the blaze under control around 7:15 am, said Jasim Uddin, Deputy Assistant Director of Chattogram Fire Service and Civil Defence in Agrabad.  The building has been declared as a fire-risk one, he said. Jasim said two separate bodies have been formed to investigate the incident — one by the Fire Service and another by the CEPZ authorities. The five member Fire Service panel has been asked to submit its report within 15 days, while the CEPZ committee comprising five members will submit its findings within five days, officials said. The fire originated around 2 pm on Thursday on the eighth floor of the Adam Cap factory in Sector 1, Road No-5 of CEPZ and later spread to two lower floors, according to officials. Md Zakir, Duty Officer of CEPZ Fire Service, said the blaze was partially under control but not yet fully extinguished. “The extent of the damage cannot be determined yet,” he added. CEPZ fire still raging; 23 units battling to bring blaze under control Personnel from the Army, Navy, Air Force, and Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) assisted firefighters in containing the flames. The factory produced hospital equipment and towels, and the large presence of flammable materials caused the fire to spread rapidly and burn intensely. Meanwhile, 16 people were burnt to death in a devastating fire at a factory and a warehouse in Mirpur, Dhaka days back.

Direction Technology (Bangladesh) Co. Limited, a Chinese company, has signed an investment agreement with the Bangladesh Export Processing Zones Authority (BEPZA) to establish a manufacturing plant in the Chattogram Export Processing Zone (CEPZ). The new facility will produce  bluetooth headphones, wired headphones, and data cables. This investment, worth US$3 million, is expected to diversify Bangladesh's export basket beyond its traditional apparel and textile industries and add a new dimension to technology-based manufacturing in the EPZ. The project is expected create employment opportunities for 478 Bangladeshi nationals, said a press release. Workers at CEPZ block road over unpaid wages, Eid bonuses Md. Ashraful Kabir, Member (Investment Promotion) of BEPZA, and Li Fanfan, Managing Director of Direction Technology (Bangladesh) Co. Limited signed in the document on behalf of the respective sides in presence of Major General Abul Kalam Mohammad Ziaur Rahman, Executive Chairman of BEPZA. The company's focus on headphones and data cables underscores Bangladesh's shift toward higher-value, technology-oriented manufacturing, complementing the country's expanding electronics sector. Welcoming the company, the Executive Chairman of BEPZA said that while Bangladesh is known for its apparel industry, BEPZA is equally committed to diversifying its export portfolio. The signing ceremony was attended by other senior officials from BEPZA and representatives from Direction Technology.

At least 50 persons were injured in a clash between workers from two factories inside the Chattogram Export Processing Zone (EPZ) on Saturday. The clash broke out when a worker from one factory had an argument with a colleague from another factory regarding the opening of a factory’s main gate. The disagreement escalated into a full-fledged clash, with workers from one side reportedly throwing stones at the other, said Officer-in-Charge (OC) of the EPZ Police Station Mohammad Akhtaruzzaman. 12 Bangladeshis return home after serving prison term in India As the violence spread, several workers were injured and rushed to Chattogram Medical College Hospital. By noon, 18 individuals were admitted, with two reported to be in critical condition. “The situation is currently under control, with both the police and army present at the scene,” added the OC. Jubo Dal leader snatched from police station in Munshiganj Chattogram EPZ Executive Director Abdus Sobhan said, “Several people were injured in this. Law enforcement has been deployed to control the situation.” Meanwhile, it was learnt that workers have been protesting in various factories of the EPZ for the past few days, alleging that they were not paid according to the new structure.