Cumilla EPZ exported goods of $3699m by 2020

Cumilla EPZ has received investments amounting to $437 million and exported goods worth $3,699 million between 2009 and 2020.

The eight EPZs operating under Bangladesh Export Processing Zones Authority (Bepza) exported $6.48 billion worth of goods in fiscal 2019-20 alone, accounting for 19.27% of the total export earnings, said Bepza General Manager (Public Relations) Nazma Binte Alamgir at a press briefing.

The press briefing was organised on Thursday to highlight the role of Cumilla EPZ in the development of both the Cumilla district and the entire country.

Nazma said exports by eight EPZs set up on around 2,307.27 acres under Bepza made up 19-20% of the overall national exports in the last five years.

Over the 2009-20 period, Bepza has made unprecedented success under the leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, she added.

According to the briefing, as of 2008, Bepza's investment was $1,509 million, which rose to $5,421 million in 2020. Exports from industrial enterprises went up from $17,598 million in 2008 to $83,681 million in 2020.

The number of employees has also gone up from over 2 lakh to more than 4 lakh.  

Nazma said Cumilla EPZ currently had 35,000 employees, of which more than 20,000 were women and nearly 14,000 men, which demonstrates a significant achievement in women empowerment.

In the last 12 years, the number of industrial establishments has also increased from 279 to 467.

Cumilla EPZ currently has 47 industrial establishments. Twenty-five are foreign companies in the 'A' category, 13 domestic and foreign companies under the 'B' category, and 9 domestic companies in the 'C' category.

Some 12 more institutions may start operating in Cumilla creating jobs for 50,000 people, Nazma continued.

Alongside Bangladeshi investors, businessmen from China, Taiwan, Hong Kong, the Netherlands, Ireland, Japan, the United Kingdom, Turkey, Sri Lanka, Pakistan, South Korea, Singapore, Canada and Indonesia are also investing in Cumilla EPZ.

The products manufactured there include garments, garment accessories, sweaters, fabrics, textile dyes and auxiliaries, electronics parts, footwear, camera cases, eyeglasses and bags.