BEPZA to start allocating plots in Jashore EPZ in 2026

"The land development works of Jashore EPZ will start soon after completing the tender process. Despite the low land of the EPZ area, I think, we can start allocating plots for investors from the end of 2026. Factory construction work and land development will continue simultaneously," said BEPZA Executive Chairman Major General Abul Kalam Mohammad Ziaur Rahman.

In a recent interview with BSS, Ziaur Rahman said the government has taken the initiative to establish the EPZ in Jashore to attract US$2 billion in foreign direct investment and achieve $2.4 billion in annual exports.

Once fully operational, the EPZ, is being set up on an area spanning around 503 acres of land in Abhaynagar upazila, which will create direct employment opportunities for 1.5 lakh local people and indirect employment for another three lakh people, he added.

He said around 400 industrial plots will be developed in the EPZ.

Ziaur Rahman, however, said BEPZA is establishing the EPZ in Jashore for the socio-economic development of the southwestern region of the country.

Establishing EPZs in the southwest of the country and making use of the Padma Bridge will contribute to the balanced development of the country, he added.

The Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (ECNEC) approved the Taka 1,642.73 crore projects in November 2023.

BEPZA is a government body empowered and responsible for the creation, development, operation and management of industrial zone like Export Processing Zones as well as the promoting investment in Bangladesh.

Over the past four decades, BEPZA has established a remarkable track record attracting investment from 38 countries to its nine zones consistently generating 18-20 percent of the country's annual exports.

The nine zones are Chattogram EPZ, Dhaka EPZ, Mongla EPZ, Uttara EPZ, Ishwardi EPZ, Cumilla EPZ, Adamjee EPZ, Karnaphuli EPZ and BEPZA EZ.

At present, investments in 448 industries in these EPZs amount to more than $6.96 billion. These zones produce export goods worth $116.30 billion.

Around 5.30 lakh skilled workers in the country's EPZs are manufacturing multi-variety products for world-famous brands.