Cumilla Export Processing Zone (EPZ), established in 2000 to boost industrialization and exports, has emerged as a key industrial hub in Bangladesh, providing employment for 50,000 people.
The EPZ, covering 267 acres and consisting of 243 industrial plots, reached a new milestone in the 2024-2025 fiscal year with exports worth $902 million, surpassing its $400 million target.
The zone hosts 46 companies, which have contributed significantly to the local economy. According to the Bangladesh Export Processing Zones Authority (BEPZA), foreign investors continue to show strong interest in Cumilla EPZ.
Despite global challenges such as the COVID-19 pandemic and the Russia-Ukraine war, the EPZ has seen a robust recovery, with exports rising steadily each year.
In fiscal years 2020-2021 to 2024-2025, Cumilla EPZ consistently outperformed targets, with exports growing from $565.85 million in 2020-2021 to $901.22 million in 2024-2025, with corresponding investments rising steadily as well.
Women make up 66 percent of the workforce in Cumilla EPZ, where workers receive a combined salary and allowance of approximately Tk 250 crore each month. Local residents like Sabina Akhter and Memong Marma, who work at Shruti Textiles and Brandix Textiles, shared how the EPZ has improved their lives, providing financial stability and opportunities for their families.
The EPZ exports a range of products including garments, shoes, electronics, and fashion accessories to markets such as the United States, Japan, and Europe. With investments totaling $613 million from companies in 15 countries, the zone is a key player in Bangladesh’s export sector.
However, due to all plots being allocated, the zone is unable to accommodate new industries. Abdullah Al Mahbub, Executive Director of Cumilla EPZ, remains optimistic, noting that existing businesses are expanding within the allocated space, which continues to create jobs.
He also highlighted that the opening of Cumilla airport could further ease travel for foreign buyers and attract more investment.
While new investment opportunities are limited, Cumilla EPZ’s strategic location near the Dhaka-Chattogram highway and its continued growth in exports and employment underscore its critical role in the national economy. Expanding the available plots could open the door for further investment and economic growth.
