The Bangladesh Export Processing Zones Authority (BEPZA) is actively encouraging Chinese investors to explore lucrative investment opportunities in Bangladesh, particularly highlighting the nation’s ready-made garment (RMG) industry. Major General Abul Kalam Mohammad Ziaur Rahman, executive chairman of BEPZA, made this appeal during a seminar held in Ningbo, China.
The seminar, titled Investment Opportunities in the EPZs and EZ of BEPZA, was jointly organised by BEPZA and the Ningbo Daxie Chamber of Commerce (NDCC) and attracted approximately 120 participants, including potential investors, local media representatives, investment analysts, and business lawyers.
Rahman highlighted Bangladesh’s prime location at the crossroads of South Asia and Southeast Asia, which provides seamless access to both regional and international markets. He noted the country’s vibrant population of over 180 million, characterised by a predominantly young, educated, and skilled workforce, as a significant asset for prospective investors.
One of the main draws for foreign investment is Bangladesh’s cost-effective labour market, with the minimum wage being the lowest in Asia, making it an attractive destination for industries, especially the RMG sector, which is a cornerstone of the nation’s economy. Rahman assured investors that the country has continually liberalized its investment policies to foster a favorable environment for foreign businesses.
BEPZA has implemented a “One Stop Service” initiative, streamlining the process for investors looking to establish and operate industries within the Export Processing Zones (EPZs).
Looking ahead, Rahman outlined ambitious plans for BEPZA, including the development of the Bepza Economic Zone in Mirsharai, Chattogram, which has already attracted 41 enterprises. Additionally, the establishment of three new EPZs in Jashore, Patuakhali, and Gaibandha is in progress, with completion expected by the end of 2025.
Currently, investors from 38 countries have established 449 enterprises in the EPZs and Bepza Economic Zone, amassing a cumulative investment of US $ 6.8 billion. These enterprises directly employ over half a million Bangladeshis, with Chinese investors alone accounting for 107 industrial units and an investment of US $ 1.6 billion, creating job opportunities for 133,000 locals.
Cao Jun, executive director of the NDCC, and several BEPZA officials, including Md Tanvir Hossain, Tarek Hossain, and Ali Istiak Chowdhury, were also present at the seminar, underscoring the collaborative effort to bolster investment relations between Bangladesh and China.
