Exports from BEPZA-run zones reached $8.41 billion in FY 2025-26, contributing 17.51 per cent to Bangladesh’s national exports.
The zones grew 2.2 per cent even as Bangladesh’s overall exports slipped 0.58 per cent, signalling relative resilience for sourcing chains.
Lease deals by 36 companies proposed $717.71 million investment and 75,744 expected jobs.
During the fiscal year, Bangladesh’s total exports stood at $48 billion, of which exports from BEPZA run zones amounted to $8.41 billion, accounting for 17.51% of the country’s total exports. For comparison, in FY 2024-25, Bangladesh’s total exports were $48.28 billion, while exports from BEPZA zones reached $8.22 billion. As a result, while the country’s overall exports declined by 0.58  per cent in FY 2025–26, exports from BEPZA zones grew by 2.2 per cent, demonstrating their resilience and competitiveness.
By ensuring efficient investment services and a business-friendly environment, BEPZA reached an unprecedented milestone in attracting new investment proposals and signing lease agreements during FY 2025–26. During the fiscal year, 36 companies from China, South Korea, the British Virgin Islands, Singapore, the United Arab Emirates, Samoa and Bangladesh signed lease agreements with BEPZA to establish industries in its zones. The proposed investment amounts to $717.71 million, the highest investment commitment ever secured by BEPZA in a single fiscal year. Once these enterprises commence full commercial production, they are expected to create employment opportunities for 75,744 Bangladeshi nationals.
Most of the newly signed industries will manufacture diversified products beyond traditional sectors, including bags and luggage, fashion accessories, textiles, airplane amenity bags and kits, footwear and footwear accessories, tents and tent accessories, leather goods, and household products.
BEPZA continued its longstanding contribution to employment generation and creating skilled workforce. During FY 2025-26, 25,164 new jobs were created for Bangladeshi nationals in the zones under BEPZA. As a result, total employment increased from 533,527 at the end of June 2025 to 558,691 by the end of June 2026—the highest cumulative employment ever recorded in BEPZA zones.
BEPZA continues to play a vital role in reducing dependency on a single sector through product diversification. Among the 451 operational enterprises, 33 per cent are engaged in readymade garments, 18 per cent in garment accessories and 8 per cent in textiles. The remaining 41 per cent manufacture and export a wide range of diversified products, contributing significantly to Bangladesh’s economy. This diversified industrial base not only reduces dependence on a single sector but also strengthens the resilience and global competitiveness of industries operating in BEPZA zones. Products manufactured in the EPZs are currently exported to 129 countries worldwide, reflecting the growing international acceptance and competitiveness of Bangladesh’s export-oriented industries.
BEPZA currently operates eight Export Processing Zones (EPZs) and BEPZA Economic Zone. As of June 2026, cumulative investment in the zones reached $7.37 billion, while cumulative exports stood at $127.42 billion. A total of 566 industrial enterprises are currently under BEPZA, of which 451 are in commercial operation and 115 are under implementation.
Fibre2Fashion News Desk
