Lesson 4/54 min
Export Processing Zones (EPZ)
General facts
- EPZ = Export Processing Zone; regulator BEPZA (Bangladesh Export Processing Zones Authority)
- The books count ten in all: eight government and two private
- First EPZ: Chattogram (Halishahar), 1983; second: Dhaka (Savar), 1993
- The BEPZA Act came in 1980 and the authority was formally set up in 1981; it works under the Prime Minister's Office (Zubair)
- The only agriculture-based EPZ: Uttara, Nilphamari
- BSCIC works for small and cottage industries
The eight government EPZs (Zubair)
| No. | EPZ | Location |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Chattogram | Halishahar, Chattogram |
| 2 | Dhaka | Savar, Dhaka |
| 3 | Mongla | Mongla, Bagerhat |
| 4 | Ishwardi | Pakshi, Pabna |
| 5 | Uttara | Sangalshi, Nilphamari |
| 6 | Cumilla | Airport area, Cumilla |
| 7 | Adamjee | Narayanganj |
| 8 | Karnaphuli | Patenga, Chattogram |
Private and new EPZs
- Two private EPZs: REPZ and KEPZ (Korean EPZ), both in Chattogram (Zubair)
- The Korean EPZ (Youngone) is the largest private EPZ by area
- Under construction or proposed: Gaibandha, Jashore and Patuakhali
- The BEPZA Economic Zone at Mirsarai (Chattogram) is a separate zone run by BEPZA
Watch out: The books disagree on the first private EPZ (Khandokar: REPZ at Rangunia; Zubair: REPZ and KEPZ, both 1999), so no “first” is claimed here. Older exams treat Patuakhali as the ninth EPZ, but it is still under development.
Check yourself
Where is Bangladesh's only agriculture-based EPZ?
At a glance
- 1
The books count ten EPZs: eight government and two private; exams ask for 8 government EPZs.
- 2
The first EPZ is Chattogram (Halishahar), 1983; the second Dhaka (Savar), 1993.
- 3
The only agriculture-based EPZ is Uttara (Nilphamari).
- 4
The regulator is BEPZA; Act 1980, set up 1981; under the Prime Minister's Office.
- 5
Proposed EPZs: Gaibandha, Jashore, Patuakhali.