Tk 1.4 billion in annual returns from a one time investment of Tk 3.75 billion

The country’s eight export processing zones (EPZs) have set a new economic benchmark by ensuring the maximum use of industrial land. The Bangladesh Export Processing Zones Authority (BEPZA) has attracted an average investment of Tk 3.75 billion per acre across its EPZs. Each acre generates an average annual return of Tk 1.4 billion. This unprecedented success in industrial development has become a model for other institutions in Bangladesh and is raising the country’s profile on the global stage.

Investors from 38 countries have invested US$7.43 billion, equivalent to Tk 930 billion at an exchange rate of Tk 125 per dollar, in eight EPZs and two economic zones under BEPZA. Since 1980, exports from these zones have reached nearly US$130 billion, equivalent to approximately Tk 16.25 trillion in local currency. BEPZA zones alone account for around 20 percent of the country’s total exports. They have also attracted 19 percent of total foreign direct investment (FDI). A total of 560,000 workers are directly employed in these EPZs.

These figures highlighting BEPZA’s achievements were presented on Saturday. BEPZA organized a “Meet the Investors” event for investors in the region at the Radisson Blu Hotel in Chattogram. Around 150 local and foreign investors attended the event. During the program, Mohammad Tanvir Hossain, BEPZA member for Investment and Development, highlighted the authority’s major achievements and progress in a presentation.

BEPZA Executive Director for Public Relations Anwar Parvez said the eight operational EPZs have 2,403 acres of operational or usable land. Each acre has attracted an average capital investment of US$3 million, equivalent to Tk 375 million. Considering annual product exports, workers’ wages, VAT and taxes paid to the government, and other economic activities, the annual return amounts to approximately Tk 140 million per acre. BEPZA has achieved this return by making the best possible use of limited land.

In the context of Bangladesh’s overall industrial sector, this land based investment return is exceptional and unprecedented. In conventional industrial areas and industrial estates operated by the Bangladesh Small and Cottage Industries Corporation (BSCIC), allocated land often remains unused for long periods or sees slow production growth. In many places, even thousands of acres fail to attract the expected investment. In contrast, BEPZA has ensured the construction of multistory factory buildings, modern infrastructure and integrated services. This has enabled the authority to use every inch of land efficiently.

The fact that no plots are currently vacant at the country’s largest EPZs in Chattogram and Dhaka is strong evidence of this success. The Asian Group has invested more than Tk 15 billion in over 16 factories and units in Chattogram. The group directly employs around 35,000 people. Its operations at Chattogram EPZ also include the knitwear factory C-Tex Limited.

M. A. Salam, managing director of the company, said, “The EPZs operated by BEPZA attract the greatest interest from foreign investors compared with other areas because of easy administrative services, uninterrupted electricity and gas supplies, internationally standard infrastructure, duty free facilities, a skilled workforce and a safe working environment.”

The development of world class factories on limited land is creating employment for hundreds of thousands of ordinary job seekers. At the same time, it is helping develop a skilled workforce. Maximizing the use of limited land is strengthening foreign exchange reserves while significantly enhancing Bangladesh’s brand image in global markets. BEPZA has continued its progress despite the current global market downturn and economic uncertainty. As a result, the country’s economy did not collapse even during the COVID-19 pandemic.

In the 2025 to 2026 fiscal year, BEPZA zones exported goods worth US$8.5 billion, equivalent to Tk 1.05125 trillion. This was 2.22 percent higher than the previous fiscal year. During the same period, agreements were signed with 36 new companies involving investments worth Tk 25 billion.

Apart from the Chattogram and Dhaka EPZs, the other six are Mongla, Ishwardi, Cumilla, Uttara, Adamjee and Karnaphuli.