United News of Bangladesh

Special Envoy on International Affairs to the Chief Adviser, Lutfey Siddiqi said that the government wants a decent working environment for the workers. “To enhance collaboration to upgrade labour standard and skills, Bangladesh Export Processing Zones Authority has signed ‘Two Year Action Plan on Labour Reform 2025-27’ with International Labour Organisation (ILO),” he said while speaking as the chief guest at the signing ceremony. He said that the present working environment in Export Processing Zones under BEPZA is excellent, which will be sustainable and improve quality of labour by implementing this action plan. The signing ceremony was held at the BEPZA Headquarters in Green Road, Dhaka.  Chinese company to invest US$ 12.25 mln to establish a high-end garment industry in Mongla EPZ  Country Director of ILO Office for Bangladesh Tuomo Poutiainen and Executive Chairman of BEPZA Major General Abul Kalam Muhammad Ziaur Rahman signed deal documents on behalf of their respective sides. Through this signing collaboration between BEPZAand ILO was launched on the three areas. These are labour administration, responsible business conduct, model economic zones initiative and creation of employment opportunities, said the country director of ILO. BEPZA executive chairman mentioned reforming labour laws in line with the ratified conventions, enhancing strategic dialogue, more effective enforcement of labour laws by inspection, improving compliance and enhancing investor confidence in EPZs, and strengthening social protection mechanisms in EPZs. In addition, BEPZA and ILO will collaborate to enhance the skills of workers, he said. In its long-standing collaboration with ILO, BEPZA has already taken various initiatives to protect workers and create a better working environment in its factories. “On 26 February 2025, BEPZA signed a 'Letter of Intent' with ILO and GIZ to provide financial benefits to workers in the ready-made garment sector in EPZs in case of accidental death and permanent physical disability at work, which is a milestone in the protection of workers,” he pointed out.  BEPZA attracts $480 million investments so far in FY2024-25 Senior officials of BEPZA and ILO were present in the deal signing ceremony.

The Bangladesh Export Processing Zones Authority (BEPZA) has secured investments totaling US$480 million from 32 local & foreign companies in the 2024-25 fiscal year until May 13. The investments secured at the Export Processing Zones (EPZs) and the BEPZA Economic Zone (EZ), reaffirm its pivotal role in driving Bangladesh’s industrial growth, according to a press release on Tuesday. As part of this significant investment drive, BEPZA on Tuesday signed a lease agreement with Qingdao Dongfang Packaging Technology Limited, a Chinese company, to establish a packaging and accessories manufacturing industry in the Ishwardi EPZ. BEPZA introduces employment injury scheme for EPZ workers The signing ceremony took place at the BEPZA Complex in Dhaka, in the presence of BEPZA Executive Chairman Major General Abul Kalam Mohammad Ziaur Rahman. Md. Ashraful Kabir, member (Investment Promotion) of BEPZA, and Song Shiliang, chairman of Qingdao Dongfang Packaging Technology Limited, signed the agreement on behalf of their respective organisations. Qingdao Dongfang Packaging Technology will invest US$ 4.5 million to produce 5.25 million dozen poly bags, hang tags, and paper tags annually, creating employment opportunities for 240 Bangladeshi nationals. Speaking at the event, BEPZA executive chairman expressed gratitude to Qingdao Dongfang Packaging for choosing Ishwardi EPZ as their investment destination. He emphasised BEPZA's commitment to providing a secure and supportive environment for investors, encouraging the company and other Chinese investors to explore further investment opportunities across diverse sectors.

The Bangladesh Export Processing Zones Authority (BEPZA) has signed a lease agreement with Allied Tobacco Company Limited, a Singapore-India-owned company, to establish a 100 percent export-oriented cigarette manufacturing industry in the BEPZA Economic Zone (EZ). The company will invest US $ 9.24 million to produce 9 billion cigarette sticks annually. The agreement was signed on Thursday (March 13) at the BEPZA Complex in Dhaka. Md. Imtiaz Hossain, Member (Engineering & Investment Promotion – Additional Charge) of BEPZA, and Tay Yong Sheng Edwin, Managing Director of Allied Tobacco Company Limited signed in the deed documents on behalf of their respective sides. BEPZA Executive Chairman, Major General Abul Kalam Mohammad Ziaur Rahman was present at the signing ceremony.  

Nova Intima, a Hong Kong-British Virgin Island-owned ladies' undergarment manufacturing company, will invest $28 million in BEPZA Economic Zone (BEPZA EZ) in Mirsharai, Chattogram. The company signed an agreement with the Bangladesh Export Processing Zones Authority (BEPZA) in Dhaka Monday. Ali Reza Mazid, member (investment promotion) of BEPZA, and Vijay Uttam, managing director of Nova Intima, signed the deal. Major General Abul Kalam Mohammad Ziaur Rahman, executive chairman of BEPZA, was also present. Read: Dutch Co. to invest $ 10.52 million in BEPZA’s Economic Zone Nova will annually produce 60 million units of ladies' undergarments and fabrics and accessories for producing those clothing items, employing more than 5,625 Bangladeshis. Two other companies in Chattogram and Karnaphuli EPZs, under the same owner, invested around $22 million in the production of ladies' undergarments, employing around 6,000 Bangladesh nationals.

Checkpoint System Bangladesh Ltd.-Unit 2, a Netherlands-owned company, is going to establish a garments accessories manufacturing industry in BEPZA Economic Zone. The company will invest USD $ 10.52 million to produce annually 1,319 million units of different types of hang tag, tickets, sticker, label and others. 274 Bangladeshi nationals will get employment opportunities in this factory. An agreement to this effect was signed between Bangladesh Export Processing Zones Authority (BEPZA) and Checkpoint System Bangladesh Ltd.-Unit 2 at BEPZA Complex, Dhaka on Tuesday. Ali Reza Mazid, Member (IP) of BEPZA and Kumudu Athuruliya, General Manager-South Asia of Checkpoint System signed the agreement on behalf of their respective organizations. Also read: Hong Kong trade delegation visits BEPZA BEPZA Executive Chairman Major General Abul Kalam Mohammad Ziaur Rahman witnessed the signing ceremony. Checkpoint System Bangladesh Ltd.-Unit 2 would be the second enterprise under the same ownership in the industrial zones operated under BEPZA. Their first one, Checkpoint Systems Bangladesh Limited, has been operating since 2009 in Adamjee EPZ. The enterprise initially started their operation in Dhaka EPZ  15 years ago. Senior officials of BEPZA were also present in the agreement signing ceremony.

Chinese company Venus Beauty Limited will invest USD $ 50 million to set up a hair fashion accessories manufacturing industry in BEPZA Economic Zone. This fully foreign owned company will produce annually 226.09 million pcs of fashion accessories, plastic comb, mirror, headband, pony tailor and amp; pony band. Around 4000 Bangladeshi nationals will get employment opportunities in this factory. The company has another diversified product manufacturing factory named Tung Hing (BD) Manufacturing Limited at Cumilla EPZ. Read: Govt urged to raise prices of low-tier cigarettes to reduce health risk An agreement to this effect was signed between Bangladesh Export Processing Zones Authority (BEPZA) and Venus Beauty Limited at BEPZA Complex in the capital on Monday. Nafisa Banu, Member (Finance) of BEPZA and AMM Shamsuddin Chowdhury, Executive Consultant of Venus Beauty Limited signed the agreement on behalf of their respective sides. The Executive Chairman of BEPZA Major General Abul Kalam Mohammad Ziaur Rahman witnessed the signing ceremony. Executive Director (Administration) Md. Zakir Hossain Chowdhury, Executive Director(Public Relations) Nazma Binte Alamgir, Executive Director (Investment Promotion) Md. Tanvir Hossain, Executive Director (Enterprise Services) Md. Khorshid Alam and Project Director of BEPZA EZ Md. Hafizur Rahman, among others, were present in the signing ceremony. Read Belgian delegation meets BEPZA Executive Chairman

Hong Kong-China owned company Campvalley Chittagong Limited will invest USD $ 54 million to set up camping equipment & garment manufacturing industry in BEPZA Economic Zone. This foreign owned company will produce 21.4 million pcs of tents, Bags & backpacks, camping chairs & furniture, luggage, and sleeping bag, different kinds of knit & woven garments, gazebo, umbrella, mattress and furniture frame. A total of 9380 Bangladeshi nationals will get employment opportunities in this factory. Read: Uninterrupted electricity at affordable price govt’s next challenge: Nasrul Mentionable, there are two other tent manufacturing companies in Chattogram and Karnaphuli EPZs under the same owner. An agreement to this effect was signed between Bangladesh Export Processing Zones Authority (BEPZA) and Campvalley Chittagong Limited at BEPZA Complex, Dhaka on Thursday. Ali Reza Mazid, Member (Investment Promotion) of BEPZA, and Hong Woo Lee, Chairman of Campvalley Chittagong signed the agreement on behalf of their respective sides. Read: Masterchef Australia finalist Kishwar honoured by Australian High Commission The Executive Chairman of BEPZA Major General Abul Kalam Mohammad Ziaur Rahman witnessed the signing ceremony. Member (Engineering) Mohammad Faruque Alam, Executive Director (Administration) Md. Zakir Hossain Chowdhury, Executive Director (Public Relations) Nazma Binte Alamgir, Executive Director (Investment Promotion) Md. Tanvir Hossain, Executive Director (Enterprise Services) Md. Khorshid Alam and Project Director of BEPZA EZ Md. Hafizur Rahman, were, among others, present in the signing ceremony. Earlier, BEPZA signed lease agreement with five other companies to set up industries in BEPZA Economic Zone. The companies will invest $ 60 million where 23,582 Bangladeshi nationals will get employment opportunities. Read Chinese Company to set up hair fashion accessories industry at BEPZA economic zone.

K B Petrochemicals Limited, a Kuwait-Bangladesh joint venture company,  will invest  $10.39 million to establish a Lubricating Oil Blending Plant in BEPZA Economic Zone Bangladesh Export Processing Zones Authority (BEPZA) signed a land lease agreement on Tuesday with KB Petrochemicals Limited to set up an industry in BEPZA Economic Zone. The signing ceremony was held at BEPZA Complex, Dhaka. The company will create employment opportunities for 129 Bangladeshi nationals. The industry will produce 20,000 metric tons finished lubricants. In presence of Executive Chairman of BEPZA Major General Abul Kalam Mohammad Ziaur Rahman, Member (Investment Promotion) Ali Reza Mazid and Managing Director of K B Petrochemicals Limited Jahangir Hossain Patwary signed the agreement on behalf of their respective organizations. Executive Chairman, BEPZA thanked the agreement signing company- K B Petrochemicals to invest in BEPZA Economic Zone. BEPZA Executive Chairman said that BEPZA is now one of the most successful organizations in the country considering its experience, capabilities, expertise and professional excellence achieved during the journey of 40 years in serving the country's export-oriented industries. Also read: Factories in all EPZs to remain shut until Apr 14 Among others, Member (Engineering) Mohammad Faruque Alam, Member (Finance) Nafisa Banu, Executive Director (Administration) Md. Zakir Hossain Chowdhury, Executive Director (Public Relations) Nazma Binte Alamgir, Executive Director (Investment Promotion) Md. Tanvir Hossain,  Executive Director (Enterprise Services) Md. Khorshid Alam, Project Director of BEPZA EZ Md. Hafizur Rahman & Executive Director (Security) Lt Col ASM Quamruzzaman, PBGM and Chairman of K B Petrochemicals Limited Mr. Kannan Naser Al Naser were present during the signing ceremony.      

Authorities concerned on Sunday signed an agreement to expedite the work on development of BEPZA Economic Zone at Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Shilpa Nagar in Mirsharai of Chattogram district. The deal was inked by Bangladesh Export Processing Zones Authority (BEPZA) and Bangladesh Economic Zones Authority (BEZA).   BEPZA Executive Chairman Maj.Gen. Md Nazrul Islam and Executive Chairman of BEZA Paban Chowdhury signed the agreement at a hotel in Dhaka.   Speaking as chief guest Principal Secretary to the Prime Minister Dr Ahmad Kaikaus said the economy is growing surprisingly fast due to  conducive environment for investment. He said modern, fast and quality services are attracting foreign investors. Paban Chowdhury called the agreement a milestone. He said BEZA received $6 billion worth investment proposals in 2020. “We hope that several factories located in BEZA sites will go into production fully in a short time,” he said. Md Nazrul Islam said BEPZA has already displayed its expertise in attracting investment and export diversification and thus creating new jobs. The Senior Secretary of Local Government Division Helal Uddin Ahmed said  a bridge connecting Mirsharai and Feni in parts of the industrial city will be built. “The project proposal has already been prepared. The construction work of this bridge will start very soon,” he  said. High officials of Prime Minister’s Office, BEPZA and BEZA including some local and foreign investors were present at the programme.  BEPZA Economic Zone is being set up on 1150 acres of land at Mirsharai, Chattogram. About 350 industries will be set up in 539 industrial plots. This will create employment for about 4 lakh people and attract investment of about US$ 4 billion, said officials.