The Bangladesh Export Processing Zones Authority is expected to start allocating plots for investors in Jashore Export Processing Zone by the end of 2026.
鈥楾he land development works of Jashore EPZ will start soon after completing the tender process. Despite the low land of the EPZ area, I think, we can start allocating plots for investors from the end of 2026. Factory construction work and land development will continue simultaneously,鈥� said BEPZA executive chairman Major General Abul Kalam Mohammad Ziaur Rahman.
In a recent interview with BSS, Ziaur Rahman said that the government had taken the initiative to establish the EPZ in Jashore to attract $2 billion in foreign direct investment and achieve $2.4 billion in annual exports.
Once fully operational, the EPZ, is being set up on an area spanning around 503 acres of land in Abhaynagar upazila, which will create direct employment opportunities for 1.5 lakh local people and indirect employment for another three lakh people, he added.
He said that about 400 industrial plots will be developed in the EPZ.
Ziaur Rahman, however, said BEPZA is establishing the EPZ in Jashore for the socio-economic development of the southwestern region of the country.
Establishing EPZs in the southwest of the country and making use of the Padma Bridge will contribute to the balanced development of the country, he added.
The Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (ECNEC) approved the Tk 1,642.73 crore projects in November 2023.聽
The BEPZA is a government body empowered and responsible for the creation, development, operation and management of industrial zone like Export Processing Zones as well as the promoting investment in Bangladesh.
Over the past four decades, BEPZA has established a remarkable track record attracting investment from 38 countries to its nine zones consistently generating 18-20 per cent of the country鈥檚 annual exports.
The nine zones are Chattogram EPZ, Dhaka EPZ, Mongla EPZ, Uttara EPZ, Ishwardi EPZ, Cumilla EPZ, Adamjee EPZ, Karnaphuli EPZ and BEPZA EZ.
At present, investments in 448 industries in these EPZs amount to more than $6.96 billion. These zones produce export goods worth $116.30 billion.
About 5.30 lakh skilled workers in the country鈥檚 EPZs are manufacturing multi-variety products for world-famous brands.
