A 100% export-oriented cigarette manufacturing enterprise has been established in the BEPZA Economic Zone under a lease agreement signed between the Bangladesh Export Processing Zones Authority and Allied Tobacco Company Limited, a Singapore-India-owned business. A news announcement states that the company will employ 127 Bangladeshi nationals and invest $9.24 million to create 9 billion cigarette sticks annually. Tay Yong Sheng Edwin, MD of Allied Tobacco, and Md. Imtiaz Hossain, member (engineering and investment promotion – extra charge) of the BEPZA, inked the agreement Thursday at the BEPZA Complex in Dhaka.

Major General Abul Kalam Mohammad Ziaur Rahman, executive chairman of BEPZA, attended the signing ceremony. Additionally in attendance were representatives from Allied Tobacco, BEPZA member (finance) ANM Foyzul Haque, executive director (investment promotion) Md Tanvir Hossain, executive director (admin) Md Tazim-Ur-Rahman, and executive director (public relations) ASM Anwar Parvez.