United News of Bangladesh

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.  

The Bangladesh Export Processing Zones Authority (BEPZA) has signed a lease agreement with Lee’s Tobacco Machinery Company Limited, a UAE and Singapore-owned company, a move to diversify the range of products. This agreement marks the establishment of the first machinery manufacturing industry in the BEPZA Economic Zone (EZ), further enhancing the zone’s diverse product line, according to a press release. Md. Ashraful Kabir, Member, investment promotion of BEPZA, and Li Meng, Chairman of Lee’s Tobacco Machinery Company Limited, signed an agreement in presence of BEPZA Executive Chairman, Major General Abul Kalam Mohammad Ziaur Rahman ndc, psc. The company plans to invest US$ 8.32 million in the project, which will create employment opportunities for 92 Bangladeshi nationals. The factory will produce tobacco and cigarette machinery, a new and diversified product to be manufactured in the EPZs and EZs under BEPZA. Speaking at the signing ceremony, the Chairman of Lee’s Tobacco Machinery Li Meng, expressed his commitment to focusing on BEPZA’s potential and encouraging other investors to consider the EPZs and EZs. He assured BEPZA of his company’s dedication to transferring specialized knowledge and expertise in machinery production to Bangladeshi workers. BEPZA attracted 29 percent of total FDI last fiscal year, says its Chairman “It will help build a skilled workforce capable of producing machinery that is new to the country’s industrial landscape,” he added. Li also shared plans to establish two more industries in the BEPZA EZ in the near future, further enhancing the zone’s industrial capabilities. BEPZA Executive Chairman Ziaur Rahman thanked Lee’s Tobacco Machinery Company Limited for choosing BEPZA’s EZ as their investment destination and assured them of all necessary support to ensure smooth operations.

Bangladesh Export Processing Zone Authority (BEPZA) has contributed 29 percent of total Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) of the country in the fiscal year 2023-24. BEPZA Executive Chairman, Major General Abdul Kalam Mohammad Ziaur Rahman revealed this at a press conference at BEPZA Complex in the capital on Monday. He said BEPZA exported US $ 7.07 billion which is 16 percent of total 44.47 billion export income in FY 2023-24. Despite different challenges due to different global issues, BEPZA signed with 28 foreign companies to invest $568.49 million in Bangladesh, he added. A total of 38 countries invested in Export Processing Zones under BEPZA. Among these companies, 108 are Chinese, 61 South Korean, 29 Japanese, 19 Indian, 19 UK, US 17, 7 Sri Lankan. BEPZA member investment Md. Ashraful Kabir in a presentation highlighted achievement and future plans. Read: BEPZA signs deal with Chinese company to set up battery plates manufacturing industry He showed that in these EPZs 48 percent diversified products are being produced. Since the inception, BEPZA has deposited Tk 1215.94 crore in the treasury till December 2024. BEPZA members Engineer Md. Imtiaz Hossain, ANM Foyzul Haque and BEPZA Director public relations ASM Anwar pervez also spoke at the event.

Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus on Monday asked Bangladesh Export Processing Zones Authority (BEPZA) to promote Bangladesh abroad and bring more investments to the country’s industrial sectors. "Create a team for economic diplomacy and promote Bangladesh abroad," Chief Adviser's Deputy Press Secretary Abul Kalam Azad Majumder quoted Dr Yunus as conveying to the BEPZA officials, asking the body to collaborate with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for the purpose. The Chief Adviser issued the directive when BEPZA submitted its annual report for the 2023-24 financial years to him at his office at Tejgaon, Dhaka. He also asked BEPZA officials to engage Bangladeshi students studying abroad, especially in China and Japan, to help investors overcome language barriers before making investment choices. BEPZA Executive Chairman Major General Abul Kalam Mohammad Ziaur Rahman said that they are already receiving positive responses from investors following the July-August uprising in Bangladesh and the repeatedly changing global political landscape.  "In the past three weeks, we have received a USD $135 million investment proposal from the Chinese investors. Talks are underway for more investments," he told the Chief Adviser.    CA's DPS: Bangladesh lived under shadow of a regime that turned "elections into farces" He said that currently eight export processing zones are operational in Bangladesh, housing 452 factories. There are 136 more factories currently under construction in the zones. Among the operational factories, over 100 are owned by the local investors, and the rest are mostly joint ventures. Of the factories, 52 percent produce ready-made garment items, textile items, and garment accessories. The remaining factories are multifarious, producing miscellaneous items such as coffins and toys.  Major General Zia informed the Chief Adviser of some of the demands of the investors, including uninterrupted gas and power supply, bonded warehouse facilities in the BEPZA areas, Chattogram-Sanghai direct air connectivity, and visa counsellor service in the Chinese city of Shanghai.  Chief Adviser Dr Yunus asked the authorities to explore the possibility of setting up solar power plants in export processing zones and work on gas exploration and develop a distribution system. He also asked the authorities to see if Bangladesh can benefit from importing energy from neighbouring countries. No arrest in plain clothes: Home Adviser Special Envoy to the Chief Adviser Lutfey Siddiqi, who was present on the occasion, put an emphasis on targeted economic diplomacy. He said that the government will work on developing an integrated power distribution system to enable industries to receive more power from existing plants in the countries. Bangladesh Investment Development Authority (BIDA) Chairman Ashik Chowdhury said that Bangladesh should incentivise the investors investing in export processing zones. European countries: CA's press wing shares progress on visa issues "We should make BEPZA and BEZA more attractive and promote the facilities available in the area across the globe to bring more investments," he said. Principal Secretary to Chief Adviser Md Siraj Uddin Miah was also present in the meeting.

The Bangladesh Export Processing Zones Authority (BEPZA) has signed a lease agreement with Bangladesh Prothoma Power Supply Ltd., a Chinese company, to establish a battery plates manufacturing industry in the BEPZA Economic Zone (EZ). The agreement was signed by Member (Investment Promotion) of BEPZA Md. Ashraful Kabir, and Managing Director of Bangladesh Prothoma Power Supply Ltd. Leiming Jia, in the presence of BEPZA Executive Chairman, Major General Abul Kalam Mohammad Ziaur Rahman on Tuesday.  The company plans to invest $ 12.24 million dollars in the project, creating employment opportunities for 600 Bangladeshi nationals. They will produce 208 million pieces of battery plates per year for export, contributing to the country's economic growth and development. BEPZA Executive Chairman welcomed the Chinese company's decision to invest in Bangladesh, particularly in the BEPZA EZ, citing the country's favorable business environment, skilled workforce, and strategic location. "We are pleased that Bangladesh Prothoma Power Supply Ltd. will produce a diverse nature product, aligning with BEPZA's objective to foster industrial diversity and economic growth in the country. We assure you of BEPZA's full support in setting up and running operations smoothly in the BEPZA EZ," said Major General Rahman. Bangladesh elected as Vice President of UN Human Rights Council Leiming Jia expressed his gratitude to BEPZA for the opportunity to establish a presence in the zone. "We will start operations of our factory in BEPZA EZ within the shortest possible time.  We believe that Bangladesh has immense potential and look forward to a long-term partnership with BEPZA.” The signing ceremony was attended by senior BEPZA officials, including Member (Finance) A N M Foyzul Haque, Executive Director (Investment Promotion) Md. Tanvir Hossain, Project Director of BEPZA EZ Mohammad Anamul Haque, Executive Director (Public Relations) A.S.M Anwar Parvez and representatives of Bangladesh Prothoma Power Supply Ltd. BEPZA Economic Zone is the largest venture of BEPZA. With this agreement, the authority has signed lease agreements with 37 companies, with a combined investment of US$ 880.74 million. The products of these companies are of diverse nature, showcasing the zone's potential for attracting a wide range of industries.  

Jidalai Co. Ltd., a Chinese company, is set to invest US$ 5.85 million to establish a zipper puller manufacturing facility in the Adamjee Export Processing Zone (AEPZ). The new factory will have the capacity to produce 70 million zipper pullers annually, creating employment opportunities for 189 Bangladeshi workers. Jidalai Co. Ltd. is a strategic business partner of the globally renowned zipper brand YKK. An agreement between Jidalai Co. Ltd. and the Bangladesh Export Processing Zones Authority (BEPZA) was signed at the BEPZA Complex in Dhaka on Wednesday. Irish company Deltaport signs deal to invest US$ 36 million in BEPZA EZ Md. Ashraful Kabir, Member of Investment Promotion at BEPZA, and Hsu Hsueh-Min, Managing Director of Jidalai Co. Ltd., signed the agreement on behalf of their respective organizations. The signing ceremony was witnessed by BEPZA Executive Chairman Major General Abul Kalam Mohammad Ziaur Rahman, BSP, as noted in a press release.

Bangladeshi company ASM Packall Export Industry will set up a garments accessories factory at Mongla Export Processing Zone (Mongla EPZ). The company will invest $4.8 million, and 400 Bangladeshi nationals will get employment opportunities at the factory. Read more: Chinese company to invest $ 12.89 million in Mongla EPZ ASM Packall will produce 1 lakh tons of bags, zippers, elastics, tapes, tags, labels, boards, paper bands, photo cards, bar codes, collar stands, and other products annually. Ali Reza Mazid, member (investment promotion) of the Bangladesh Export Processing Zones Authority, and Md Ashraful Alam, managing director of ASM Packall Export, signed an agreement Thursday in Dhaka. Read More: Cotton factory warehouse gutted in Mongla EPZ fire BEPZA Executive Chairman Major General Abul Kalam Mohammad Ziaur Rahman was present at that time.

Lugang Technology (Bangladesh) Limited, a Hong Kong (China) owned company, is going to establish a textile industry at Ishwardi Export Processing Zone (IEPZ). This fully foreign owned company will invest US$ 22.99 million where 3182 Bangladeshi nationals will get jobs, said a press release issued on Wednesday. Read more: EPZs saw all-time high export, investment, job growth in FY22: Bepza The company will produce annually 5,100 tons raw  and dyed yarn. Ali Reza Mazid, Member (Investment Promotion) of BEPZA and Ding Feng, Vice General Manager of Lugang Technology (Bangladesh) Limited signed an agreement to this effect on behalf of their respective organizations on Wednesday at BEPZA Complex in Dhaka. BEPZA Executive Chairman Major General Abul Kalam Mohammad Ziaur Rahman was present at the signing ceremony. Read more: BEPZA EZ gets $28m more in investment Among others, Member (Engineering) Mohammad Faruque Alam, Member (Finance) Nafisa Banu, Executive Director (Administration) Md. Zakir Hossain Chowdhury, Executive Director (Investment Promotion) Md. Tanvir Hossain and Additional Executive Director (Public Relations) Anwar Parvez along with representatives of the enterprise were present at the signing ceremony.

Bangladeshi company trendy textiles limited will invest USD $39 million to establish a knit composite textile industry in Dhaka EPZ. The company will produce annually 15 million pieces of T-Shirt, Tank-Top, Polo-Shirt, Sweatshirt, Cotton-CVC Fleece jackets, Trousers, Hoody jackets, Fancy Ladies-Children Wear, and sportswear. The company has signed an agreement to reopen a closed factory of Dhaka EPZ. Read: BEPZA EZ gets $28m more in investment The trendy textiles will create jobs opportunity for 2993 Bangladeshi nationals. Ali Reza Mazid, Member (Investment Promotion) of BEPZA and Nafees Muntasir Khan, Managing Director of Trendy Textiles Limited signed an agreement to this effect on behalf of their respective organizations on Tuesday. BEPZA Executive Chairman Major General Abul Kalam Mohammad Ziaur Rahman, witnessed the agreement signing ceremony. Read Chinese company to invest $ 12.89 million in Mongla EPZ Members (Engineering) Mohammad Faruque Alam, Nafisa Banu (Finance) executive directors Nazma Binte Alamgir, Md. Tanvir Hossain and Md. Khorshid Alam, among other, were present at the function.

The annual performance agreements (APAs) 2022-23 were signed between the prime minister's office and its attached seven agencies including Ashrayan-2 project on Thursday. PMO senior secretary Tofazzel Hossain Miah and the heads of the agencies inked the agreements on behalf of their respective sides at the PMO. In the APAs, the seven agencies made different commitments over their performances for the fiscal year of 2022-23. Also read: Increase oxygen supply, Corona beds: PMO Prime Minister’s Principal Secretary Ahmad Kaikaus and Principal Coordinator for SDG Affairs at the PMO Zuena Aziz spoke at the signing event presided over by Tofazzel Hossain Miah. The seven agencies are Bangladesh Investment Development Authority (BIDA), Bangladesh Economic Zone Authority (BEZA), Bangladesh Export Processing Zone Authority (BEPZA), National Skills Development Authority (NSDA), Public Private Partnership (PPP) Authority, NGO Affairs Bureau and Ashrayan-2 Project. The APA is a result-based working plan to reach the desired goal through increasing the efficiency and accountability of the public servant. In the 2014-15 fiscal year, the Awami League government introduced the APA method in a bid to get better performance from all the ministries and divisions. In the process, all the subordinate departments, agencies or offices also sign the APAs with their respective ministries, divisions or higher offices.