Achieves record success in employment generation and new investment proposals

Despite the challenges posed by the global economic slowdown and a slight decline in the country’s overall exports, the Bangladesh Export Processing Zones Authority (BEPZA) achieved remarkable success in the fiscal year (FY) 2025-26. During the fiscal year, BEPZA contributed 17.51% to the country’s total exports while setting records in attracting investment proposals and generating employment.

Export Growth BEPZA made a significant contribution to the country’s export earnings in FY 2025-26. While Bangladesh’s overall exports experienced a slight decline, the zones under BEPZA maintained positive export growth. During the fiscal year, Bangladesh’s total exports stood at US$ 48 billion, of which exports from BEPZA run zones amounted to US$ 8.41 billion, accounting for 17.51% of the country’s total exports. For comparison, in FY 2024-25, Bangladesh’s total exports were US$ 48.28 billion, while exports from BEPZA zones reached US$ 8.22 billion. As a result, while the country’s overall exports declined by 0.58% in FY 2025–26, exports from BEPZA zones grew by 2.2%, demonstrating their resilience and competitiveness.

Record investment proposals and growing interest in diversified industries By ensuring efficient investment services and a business-friendly environment, BEPZA reached an unprecedented milestone in attracting new investment proposals and signing lease agreements during FY 2025–26. During the fiscal year, 36 companies from China, South Korea, the British Virgin Islands, Singapore, the United Arab Emirates, Samoa and Bangladesh signed lease agreements with BEPZA to establish industries in its zones. The proposed investment amounts to US$ 717.71 million, the highest investment commitment ever secured by BEPZA in a single fiscal year. Once these enterprises commence full commercial production, they are expected to create employment opportunities for 75,744 Bangladeshi nationals.

Most of the newly signed industries will manufacture diversified products beyond traditional sectors, including bags and luggage, fashion accessories, textiles, electrical and electronic products, Bluetooth headphones, airplane amenity bags and kits, toy and fishing drones, lightweight cargo drones, footwear and footwear accessories, tents and tent accessories, leather goods, light engineering products, camping furniture, greenhouse hydroponic tents, agricultural products, processed food items and household products.

Growing Investor Confidence and Business Expansion Through efficient management, decades of experience in zone operations and prompt investor services, BEPZA has become a trusted destination for both local and foreign investors. Many existing investors are expanding their businesses after experiencing BEPZA’s efficient services. A recent example is China’s renowned Kaixi Group. Encouraged by the smooth business environment and rapid commencement of production, the group, after investing US$ 60.85 million in its first company, Kaixi Lingerie Bangladesh, signed another lease agreement last year to invest an additional US$ 40.50 million through its second company, Kaixi Garments Bangladesh.

Strong contribution to Foreign Direct Investment (FDI)

Excluding working capital, actual investment worth US$ 286.46 million was made in BEPZA zones during FY 2025–26 in the form of capital machinery, construction materials and other assets. According to Bangladesh Bank, BEPZA’s FDI Net Inflows during the first nine months of FY 2025-26 (July 2025 to March 2026) amounted to US$ 221.58 million, representing 19.61% of the country’s total FDI net inflows during the same period. This reflects BEPZA’s significant role in attracting foreign direct investment.

Significant contribution to employment generation BEPZA continued its longstanding contribution to employment generation and creating skilled workforce. During FY 2025-26, 25,164 new jobs were created for Bangladeshi nationals in the zones under BEPZA. As a result, total employment increased from 533,527 at the end of June 2025 to 558,691 by the end of June 2026—the highest cumulative employment ever recorded in BEPZA zones.

Diversified manufacturing and expanding global market reach BEPZA continues to play a vital role in reducing dependency on a single sector through product diversification. Among the 451 operational enterprises, 33% are engaged in readymade garments, 18% in garment accessories and 8% in textiles. The remaining 41% manufacture and export a wide range of diversified products, contributing significantly to Bangladesh’s economy. This diversified industrial base not only reduces dependence on a single sector but also strengthens the resilience and global competitiveness of industries operating in BEPZA zones. Products manufactured in the EPZs are currently exported to 129 countries worldwide, reflecting the growing international acceptance and competitiveness of Bangladesh’s export-oriented industries.

BEPZA currently operates eight Export Processing Zones (EPZs) and BEPZA Economic Zone. As of June 2026, cumulative investment in the zones reached US$ 7.37 billion, while cumulative exports stood at US$ 127.42 billion. A total of 566 industrial enterprises are currently under BEPZA, of which 451 are in commercial operation and 115 are under implementation.