Special Assistant to the Prime Minister for Hindu, Buddhist, Christian, and Ethnic Affairs Bijan Kanti Sarkar, and Principal Secretary to the Prime Minister A B M Abdus Sattar visited the Chattogram and Karnaphuli Export Processing Zones (EPZs) on October 28, 2026. Earlier on October 27, 2026, they visited the BEPZA Economic Zone, a press release said.
During the visit to Chattogram EPZ, Abdullah Al Mamun, Member (Engineering); Lieutenant Colonel Md. Mohseen Hasan, BSP, psc, Arty, Executive Director (Security) of BEPZA and Md. Shariful Islam, Executive Director of Chattogram EPZ, comprehensively briefed the delegation on BEPZA’s operational activities, investment, exports, employment generation, infrastructural facilities, workers’ welfare, and eco-friendly industrialization.
Mentioning the historic contribution of the Shaheed President Ziaur Rahman at the inception of EPZs in Bangladesh, Md. Shariful Islam, Executive Director of Chattogram EPZ, stated that under the leadership of the Honourable Prime Minister, the government’s investor-friendly policies, expansion of industrialization, and continuous efforts toward economic development are further accelerating BEPZA’s momentum. BEPZA continues to play a vital role in attracting domestic and foreign investment, boosting exports, generating employment, ensuring workers’ welfare, and maintaining a peaceful industrial environment.
At this time, he highlighted some customs-related issues and policy challenges faced by investors in operating businesses within the EPZ. In particular, he informed the delegation about the imposition of Advance Income Tax (AIT) on bonded industrial enterprises and the impact of import duties on specific types of yarn. Expressing investors’ concerns on these matters, he voiced hope for necessary cooperation in reviewing the relevant issues and swiftly finalizing the proposed EPZ Customs Rules to ensure the continuity of industrial operations and safeguard workers’ employment.
During the visit to the Karnaphuli EPZ, Mahbub Ahmed Siddiq, Executive Director of the zone noted that the EPZ completes 20 years this year. He stated that in 2006, the then Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia took a major step to turn the abandoned Chittagong Steel Mills into Karnaphuli EPZ- a decision whose great success is clearly shown by the progress made over the last two decades.
The delegation visited Pacific Jeans Limited and Talisman Performance Limited in Chattogram EPZ, as well as Kenpark Apparels and Park BD in Karnaphuli EPZ. They personally observed the manufacturing operations, modern production systems, working conditions, and existing amenities provided to workers at these facilities.
Concluding the visit, the delegation expressed satisfaction with the planned and disciplined management, export-oriented production activities, and investment-friendly environment across BEPZA-managed industrial zones. They also commended BEPZA’s significant contribution to enhancing national exports, attracting foreign direct investment, creating employment, and facilitating sustainable industrialization.
Nurjahan Khanom, Director General-1 and Fahmid Farhan, Director-1 of the Prime Minister’s Office, and senior officials of the Chattogram and Karnaphuli EPZs were also present during this time.
