Bangladesh Export Processing Zones Authority (BEPZA) strengthened its stake in the country’s export landscape, accounting for 17.03 per cent of total national exports in fiscal year 2024–25, according to official data released on Wednesday.
This marks a notable rise from 15.9 per cent in the previous fiscal year, driven by robust export performance from factories operating in BEPZA’s eight export processing zones (EPZs) and its flagship Economic Zone in Mirsarai.
In total, the zones under BEPZA shipped goods worth $8.22 billion in FY25, registering a year-on-year growth of 16.22 per cent from $7.07 billion in FY24.
The upbeat export performance was matched by rising employment. By the end of June 2025, the total number of Bangladeshis working within BEPZA-administered zones reached 5.34 lakh, up from 5 lakh a year earlier. Officials attributed this to the gradual rollout of new factories and the scaling-up of production by existing units.
The authority has so far overseen exports worth $119 billion since its inception, with goods reaching buyers in over 120 countries.
While investment dipped slightly, BEPZA’s expressed confidence in a rebound. Enterprises invested $292.77 million in capital machinery and fixed assets during FY25, down from $350.93 million the previous year. The authority described this as a short-term adjustment linked to global and domestic factors.
“Despite the brief slowdown in capital injection, the groundwork laid this year is expected to translate into strong investment momentum ahead,” a BEPZA statement said.
That optimism is underpinned by 33 fresh investment agreements inked in FY25. These new commitments, from investors based in China, South Korea, the UK, Ireland, Singapore, the UAE, India and Bangladesh, are collectively worth $497.48 million and forecast to generate 59,408 new jobs.
The upcoming factories will diversify the export basket with products such as garments, electronics, agro-foods, toys, footwear, leather goods, light engineering items, wigs and packaging materials.
BEPZA currently hosts 563 industrial units, with 450 in operation and 113 under implementation. Of the functioning industries, 33 per cent produce garments, 18 per cent make accessories, and 9 per cent are textile-based. The remainder includes a wide range of sectors, including medical equipment, furniture and consumer electronics.
As part of its expansion plan, BEPZA is accelerating the development of two new EPZs in Jashore and Patuakhali. Plot allocation for prospective investors in these zones is expected to begin within the next year.