Chattogram’s Mirsarai-based BEPZA Economic Zone has entered a new era of industrial activity as production and export operations have already begun at five foreign companies. Significant investment momentum is driving the zone’s growth, with a total of $333.72 million worth of 23 investment agreements signed between January 2025 and September 8, 2025.
Since its inception in 2022, BEPZA has signed lease agreements with 48 companies, bringing in a committed investment of $1.028 billion. These investments are expected to generate employment opportunities for around 131,000 people. So far, actual investments of $61.41 million have been made.
This year alone, 12 companies have signed agreements for a proposed investment of $208.53 million to set up industries in the zone.
Five Companies Begin Production
According to BEPZA, five companies have already started production — four Chinese-owned and one South Korean. Together, they have generated around $17.3 million in exports and created jobs for approximately 4,000 people.
The companies include:
- Fengchun Composite Material Co. (BD) Ltd. – manufacturer of footwear accessories and packaging materials
- Kaixi Lingerie Bangladesh Co. Ltd. – producer of lingerie and composite apparel
- KPST Shoes (BD) Co. Ltd. – manufacturer of insoles, outsoles, and EVA foam for footwear
- Mingda (Bangladesh) New Material Co. Ltd. – textile and packaging materials producer
- Young Chang BD Co. Ltd. (South Korea) – producer of adhesives and primers for footwear
These five companies have collectively committed $156.16 million in proposed investments and plan to further expand their operations.
Upcoming Production Units
Four more companies — Goodwood (Dhaka) Co. Ltd., Jibin Technology (BD) Co. Ltd., Taisheng (Bangladesh) Webbing Co. Ltd., and Young Chang BD Co. Ltd. — are preparing to begin production soon. Their product lines will include cutlery, medical items, shoe accessories, adhesives, solvents, and elastic materials.
Growing Investor Interest
BEPZA’s Executive Director (Public Relations), ASM Anowar Parvez, stated, “Even before Bangladesh secures duty-free access to the US market, we are receiving strong responses from both domestic and foreign investors for investments in BEPZA Economic Zone. Five companies have already started production during the project period, and four more are about to begin very soon.”
He also highlighted that BEPZA has signed lease agreements with 48 companies to produce a diversified range of products, from conventional apparel to shoes, shoe components, advanced pharmaceutical products, tobacco machinery, and even high-tech drones.
Currently, around 15 companies are in the pipeline, with 5–7 expected to sign agreements soon. Additionally, 35–40 more companies have expressed interest in investing in the zone.
Diversification and Expansion
Chinese investors make up the majority of signed agreements, followed by investors from South Korea, Sri Lanka, the US, UK, Canada, Singapore, India, UAE, the Netherlands, British Virgin Islands, Malaysia, Ireland, and Bangladesh.
Kaixi Group has been a major player, opening Kaixi Lingerie Bangladesh Co. Ltd. in June 2024 with a $60.85 million investment and employing about 3,700 workers. In August 2025, they signed another agreement to invest $40.05 million to establish Kaixi Garments Bangladesh Ltd.
Bangladeshi company Oasis Accessories (Pvt.) Ltd. has also joined the economic zone, committing $4.8 million to set up a garment accessories manufacturing plant.
Future investment prospects include furniture, camping gear, bags, belts, eyewear, electric bikes and trikes, solar panels, and personal care products.
BEPZA officials added that Bangladesh recently negotiated to reduce US countervailing duties on its exports to 20%, while India and China still face roughly 50% and 30% duties respectively. This tariff advantage is drawing more foreign companies, particularly Chinese investors, to set up factories in Bangladesh.
Infrastructure and Facilities
The economic zone has ensured reliable utility services, including electricity and water supply. Water is drawn from deep tube wells, and a water treatment plant is planned. Additionally, a gas supply pipeline is already 80% complete, with DRS installed by Karnaphuli Gas Distribution Company.
Master Plan and Development Timeline
BEPZA currently operates eight active Export Processing Zones (EPZs) across Bangladesh. Building on this success, the government approved the BEPZA Economic Zone in Mirsarai on 1,138.55 acres under the National Special Economic Zone initiative.
The development plan was approved in 2018, with a total of 539 industrial plots allocated for domestic and foreign investors. Once fully operational, the zone is projected to attract $4.5 billion in investment and create nearly 500,000 jobs.
Although the official project period ends on December 31, 2025, infrastructure and utility facilities have been completed ahead of schedule, allowing investments and exports to begin in full swing.
