B Mirror Desk: The Bangladesh Export Processing Zones Authority (Bepza) has successfully attracted $480 million in investments from 32 domestic and international firms for the fiscal year 2024-25 within the EPZs and the BEPZA Economic Zone (EZ), underscoring its crucial role in fostering industrial development in Bangladesh. On May 13, Bepza formalized this investment initiative by signing a lease agreement with M/s Qingdao Dongfang Packaging Technology Limited, a Chinese enterprise, to set up a manufacturing facility for packaging and accessories in the Ishwardi EPZ, as stated in a press release.

The agreement was signed at the BEPZA Complex in Dhaka, with BEPZA Executive Chairman Major General Abul Kalam Mohammad Ziaur Rahman, Member (Investment Promotion) Md Ashraful Kabir, and Chairman of Qingdao Dongfang Packaging Technology Limited Song Shiliang representing their respective organizations. Qingdao Dongfang Packaging Technology plans to invest $4.5 million to produce 5.25 million dozen poly bags, hang tags, and paper tags each year, generating job opportunities for 240 Bangladeshi workers.

During the event, the BEPZA Executive Chairman expressed appreciation to Qingdao Dongfang Packaging Technology for selecting Ishwardi EPZ for their investment and reiterated BEPZA’s dedication to offering a secure and conducive environment for investors, urging the company and other Chinese investors to consider additional investment prospects across various sectors. The signing ceremony was attended by senior officials from BEPZA, including Member (Engineering) Md Imtiaz Hossain, Member (Finance) A N M Foyzul Haque, Executive Director (Investment Promotion) Md Tanvir Hossain, Executive Director (Admin) Md Tazim-Ur-Rahman, and Executive Director (Public Relations) ASM Anwar Parvez, along with representatives from Qingdao Dongfang Packaging Technology Limited.