The Bangladesh Export Processing Zones Authority (BEPZA) increased its share of the country’s exports to 17.5 per cent in the 2025-26 fiscal year, bucking a slight decline in national exports while attracting a record level of new investment commitments and generating the highest employment in its history.
According to BEPZA, exports from its export processing zones rose 2.2 per cent year-on-year to $8.41 billion in FY2025-26 from $8.22 billion a year earlier, even as Bangladesh’s total exports slipped 0.58 per cent to $48 billion from $48.28 billion.
The performance lifted BEPZA’s contribution to national exports to 17.51 per cent, underlining the resilience of the country’s export processing zones amid a challenging global trade environment.
The authority also recorded its highest-ever annual investment commitment, signing lease agreements with 36 companies from China, South Korea, the British Virgin Islands, Singapore, the United Arab Emirates, Samoa and Bangladesh.
The proposed investments total $717.71 million, the largest amount BEPZA has secured in a single fiscal year. Once fully operational, the projects are expected to create 75,744 jobs for Bangladeshi nationals.
Most of the new investments are concentrated in non-traditional manufacturing, reflecting a broader shift towards export diversification. Planned factories will produce goods including bags and luggage, fashion accessories, electrical and electronic products, Bluetooth headphones, aircraft amenity kits, toy and fishing drones, lightweight cargo drones, footwear, tents, leather goods, light engineering products, processed food, agricultural products and household items.
BEPZA said growing investor confidence has encouraged existing companies to expand operations. It cited China’s Kaixi Group, which committed an additional $40.5 million investment through Kaixi Garments Bangladesh after previously investing $60.85 million in Kaixi Lingerie Bangladesh.
The authority also remained a significant contributor to foreign direct investment. Excluding working capital, companies operating in BEPZA zones made $286.46 million in actual investments during FY2025-26 through capital machinery, construction materials and other assets.
According to Bangladesh Bank, BEPZA accounted for $221.58 million, or 19.61 per cent, of Bangladesh’s net foreign direct investment inflows during the first nine months of the fiscal year.
Employment in BEPZA zones also reached a record level. The authority said 25,164 new jobs were created during the fiscal year, lifting total employment to 558,691 by the end of June 2026 from 533,527 a year earlier.
The latest figures also highlight the growing diversification of industries operating in the zones. Of the 451 factories currently in commercial production, 33 per cent manufacture ready-made garments, 18 per cent produce garment accessories and 8 per cent are engaged in textiles, while the remaining 41 per cent manufacture a wide range of products beyond traditional apparel.
Products manufactured in BEPZA-administered zones are now exported to 129 countries, reflecting an expanding global market reach.
BEPZA currently operates eight export processing zones and the BEPZA Economic Zone. As of June 2026, it oversaw 566 industrial enterprises, including 451 in commercial operation and 115 under implementation.
Cumulative investment in the zones has reached $7.37 billion, while cumulative exports stand at $127.42 billion, according to the authority.
