Chief advisor. Muhammad Yunus called on the Bangladesh Export Processing Zone Authority (BEPZA) to bring more investment in the country's industrial sector. He gave this order when Bepza came to present the annual report for the financial year 2023-24 at the office of the Chief Adviser in Tejgaon on Monday (January 6).
The Chief Adviser directed the Bepja officials to cooperate with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to form a team for economic diplomacy and promote Bangladesh abroad.
The Chief Adviser urged the BEPJA officials to involve Bangladeshi students studying abroad especially in China and Japan. So that investors can overcome language barriers before prioritizing investments.
Bepza Executive Chairman Major General Abul Kalam Mohammad Ziaur Rahman said that they are already receiving positive response from investors in the July-August popular uprising in Bangladesh and the changing global political context.
He said, in the last three weeks, we have received investment proposals of 135 million dollars from Chinese investors. Discussions are underway for further investment.
The executive chairman of Bepza said, currently there are eight export processing zones operating in Bangladesh, with 452 factories. There are 136 more factories currently under construction in these regions. Over 100 of the operational factories are owned by local investors, the rest are joint ventures. Out of this, 52 percent manufactures ready-made garments, textiles and garment accessories. Other factories produce miscellaneous goods such as miscellaneous goods such as coffins and toys.
Major General Zia informed the Chief Adviser about some of the demands of the investors including uninterrupted gas and electricity supply, bonded warehouse facility in Bepza area, Chittagong-Shanghai direct air link and visa counselor service in Shanghai city of China.
Dr. Yunus urged stakeholders to explore the feasibility of setting up solar power plants in the export processing zone and develop a gas exploration and distribution system. He said to look into whether Bangladesh can benefit by importing energy from neighboring countries.
Chief Adviser's Special Envoy Lutfe Siddiqui, who was present on the occasion, emphasized on concrete economic diplomacy. He said the government will work on developing an integrated power distribution system — so that industries can get more power from existing plants.
Bangladesh Investment Development Authority (BIDA) Chairman Ashiq Chowdhury said that investors should be encouraged in the export processing zone. We should make Bepza and Bangladesh Economic Zone Authority (BEZA) more attractive and promote the benefits of the region globally to attract more investment.
In the meeting, the Chief Secretary of the Chief Advisor. Siraj Uddin Mia was also present.
