Bepza secures record $718m investment proposals in FY26
The export processing zone authority secured $717.71 million in proposed investments, contributed 17.5% of Bangladesh's exports and created more than 25,000 jobs during FY2025-26.
Highlights:
- Investment proposals reach record $717.71 million in FY26
- Bepza zones contribute $8.41 billion, or 17.51%, of national exports
- Exports from BEPZA zones grow 2.2% despite a decline in national exports
- 36 companies sign lease agreements to establish new industries
- New investment proposals expected to create 75,744 jobs
- Actual investment reaches $286.46 million during the fiscal year
- Bepza accounts for 19.61% of Bangladesh's FDI net inflows
- Employment in Bepza zones rises to a record 558,691
The Bangladesh Export Processing Zones Authority (Bepza) secured a record $717.71 million in investment proposals during FY2025-26, marking the highest investment commitment in a single fiscal year in its history, while increasing its contribution to the country's exports despite a slight decline in Bangladesh's overall export earnings.
According to a Bepza press release issued on Wednesday (15 July), the authority attracted investment proposals worth $717.71 million and accounted for 17.51% of the country's total exports during the fiscal year. It also recorded its highest-ever cumulative employment.
Export growth outpaces national performance
Bangladesh's total exports stood at $48 billion in FY2025-26, compared with $48.28 billion in the previous fiscal year, reflecting a 0.58% decline.
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In contrast, exports from Bepza-run zones rose 2.2% to $8.41 billion from $8.22 billion a year earlier, accounting for 17.51% of the country's total exports.
Record investment commitments
During the fiscal year, 36 companies from China, South Korea, the British Virgin Islands, Singapore, the United Arab Emirates, Samoa and Bangladesh signed lease agreements to establish industries in BEPZA zones.
The proposed investments, worth $717.71 million, are expected to generate employment for 75,744 Bangladeshis once the factories begin full commercial operations.
Most of the new projects will manufacture diversified products, including bags and luggage, fashion accessories, electrical and electronic goods, Bluetooth headphones, drones, footwear, tents, leather products, light engineering goods, processed foods, agricultural products and household items.
Investor confidence grows
BEPZA said its business-friendly environment and efficient investor services continued to attract both new and existing investors.
It cited China's Kaixi Group as an example of expanding investment. After investing $60.85 million in Kaixi Lingerie Bangladesh, the company signed another agreement last year to invest an additional $40.50 million through Kaixi Garments Bangladesh.
Strong FDI contribution
Excluding working capital, actual investment in Bepza zones reached $286.46 million during FY2025-26 through capital machinery, construction materials and other assets.
According to Bangladesh Bank, BEPZA attracted net foreign direct investment (FDI) inflows of $221.58 million during the first nine months of FY2025-26, representing 19.61% of the country's total FDI inflows over the period.
Employment reaches record high
Bepza created 25,164 new jobs during the fiscal year, raising total employment in its zones from 533,527 at the end of June 2025 to a record 558,691 by the end of June 2026.
The authority currently oversees eight Export Processing Zones and the Bepza Economic Zone. As of June 2026, cumulative investment in its zones stood at $7.37 billion, while cumulative exports reached $127.42 billion. Of the 566 industrial enterprises under BEPZA, 451 are in commercial operation and 115 are under implementation.
