The Bangladesh Export Processing Zones Authority (BEPZA) has launched three dedicated Country Desks for investors from China, South Korea and Japan to provide faster, more focused and effective services. The desks were formally inaugurated at the ‘Meet the Investors’ event held in Dhaka today (10 October 2026).
Investors from 38 countries have invested in the eight Export Processing Zones (EPZs) and two Economic Zones under BEPZA. Among these, China, South Korea and Japan are the top three investor countries. The dedicated desks have been established to strengthen communication with existing and prospective investors from these countries, provide direct assistance tailored to their investment-related needs and facilitate a smoother investment process. The desks will provide relevant information, guidance and necessary support to existing and prospective investors seeking to invest in BEPZA’s EPZs and Economic Zones.
Welcoming the participants, BEPZA Executive Chairman Major General Mohammad Moazzem Hossain, ndc, afwc, psc, G, MPhil, said, “Today’s gathering will help us strengthen our partnerships, listen directly to our investors, understand their concerns and expectations, and explore ways to make our investment environment more competitive and business-friendly.”
Referring to global trade uncertainties and economic challenges, the Executive Chairman said that BEPZA had achieved notable success despite the challenging circumstances. During FY 2025–26, BEPZA signed investment agreements with 36 enterprises. In the same fiscal year, exports from BEPZA’s zones reached US$ 8.41 billion, marking a 2.22 per cent increase over the previous fiscal year.
He further stated that the declaration of BEPZA Economic Zone-1, BEPZA Economic Zone-2, Jashore EPZ and Patuakhali EPZ as full-fledged zones was another significant milestone of the year. He called upon investors to expand their business operations in these new zones in collaboration with their supply-chain partners.
Highlighting BEPZA’s commitment to environmentally responsible and sustainable industrialization, the Executive Chairman said that the Authority was promoting the ‘3Rs’—Reduce, Reuse and Recycle—alongside renewable energy and circular industrial practices. He added that BEPZA was further improving investor services through enhanced power supply, Investors’ Clubs, fire stations, improved healthcare facilities and streamlined One Stop Service (OSS).
Expressing optimism about the newly launched Country Desks, the Executive Chairman said, “These dedicated desks will help build closer relationships with existing investors from China, South Korea and Japan and encourage them to expand their businesses. At the same time, they will play an important role in attracting new investment to BEPZA’s zones.”
Addressing the investors, he said, “BEPZA has always regarded investors as valued partners. Your valuable feedback strengthens our strategies. I assure you that BEPZA stands beside you at every step and will continue to support you in overcoming any challenges.”
During the event, Member (Investment Promotion) of BEPZA, Md. Tanvir Hossain, presented the Authority’s key achievements and progress during FY 2025–26. His presentation covered investment attraction, export growth, employment generation, new investment agreements, recent initiatives for workers’ welfare, measures to simplify investor services, and policy and procedural improvements aimed at creating a more investment-friendly environment. He also highlighted progress in the development of BEPZA Economic Zones and the new EPZs in Jashore and Patuakhali, inviting investors to explore opportunities in these zones.
Referring to the limited availability of land in BEPZA’s operational zones, the Member (Investment Promotion) said that BEPZA was making a significant contribution to the national economy by ensuring the optimal utilization of this limited resource and remained committed to sustaining this contribution.
Additional Executive Director (Enterprise Services and Industrial Relations) of BEPZA Nazmul Islam Bhuiyan delivered a presentation on workers’ welfare in the EPZs, employer-worker relations, amendments to the EPZ Labour Act and emerging labour-related challenges.
An open discussion session between BEPZA’s senior officials and investors followed. Participants exchanged views on BEPZA’s services, investment expansion, challenges, potential investment opportunities and ways to further improve the investment climate. The Bangladesh EPZ Labour Act, 2019, was also discussed. BEPZA reaffirmed its commitment to protecting the interests of both investors and workers while maintaining international labour standards.
Speaking at the event, Million Park, General Secretary of the Korea-Bangladesh Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KBCCI), highlighted the significant potential for business partnerships between Bangladesh and South Korea. He emphasized the need for infrastructure development and policy simplification to attract greater Korean investment to Bangladesh.
Pintu Kumar Shaw, Vice President of EPIC Group, appreciated BEPZA’s business-support services and thanked the Authority. He also expressed interest in investing in BEPZA’s two new EPZs in Jashore and Patuakhali.
R. N. Paul, Managing Director of PRAN-RFL Group, shared his business experience in the food-processing sector. He encouraged investors to diversify beyond the ready-made garments sector and explore opportunities in high-value-added industries, renewable energy and backward-linkage industries.
In his concluding remarks, the BEPZA Executive Chairman reiterated the Authority’s firm commitment to maintaining an investor-friendly environment and safeguarding investors’ interests.
Representatives of the Bangladesh-China Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BCCCI), the Korea-Bangladesh Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KBCCI), and the Japan-Bangladesh Chamber of Commerce and Industry (JBCCI), along with more than 100 local and foreign investors from BEPZA’s EPZs and Economic Zones, attended the event.
Since its establishment in 1980, BEPZA has played an important role in export-oriented industrialization, investment promotion and employment generation in Bangladesh. Investors from 38 countries have invested in the eight EPZs and two Economic Zones under BEPZA. The total investment in these zones stands at approximately US$ 7.50 billion, while cumulative exports have reached around US$ 130 billion. BEPZA’s zones account for approximately 20 per cent of the country’s total exports.
