BEPZA welcomes first-ever machinery manufacturing industry in BEPZA EZ

In a significant move to diversify the range of products, the Bangladesh Export Processing Zones Authority (BEPZA) has signed a lease agreement with Lee's Tobacco Machinery Company Limited, a UAE and Singapore-owned company.

This agreement marks the establishment of the first machinery manufacturing industry in the BEPZA Economic Zone (EZ), further enhancing the zone's diverse product line.

The agreement was signed today (February 3, 2025) by Mr Md. Ashraful Kabir, Member (Investment Promotion) of BEPZA, and Mr Li Meng, Chairman of Lee's Tobacco Machinery Company Limited, in the presence of BEPZA Executive Chairman, Major General Abul Kalam Mohammad Ziaur Rahman, BSP, ndc, psc.
The company plans to invest US$8.32 million in the project, creating employment opportunities for 92 Bangladeshi nationals. The factory will produce tobacco and cigarette machinery, a new and diversified product to be manufactured in the EPZs and EZs under BEPZA.

At the signing ceremony, BEPZA Executive Chairman Major General Abul Kalam Mohammad Ziaur Rahman thanked Lee's Tobacco Machinery Company Limited for choosing BEPZA EZ as their investment destination. He assured them of all necessary support to ensure smooth operations. He stated, "This inaugural machinery manufacturing project marks a significant milestone in BEPZA's ongoing efforts to diversify its export-oriented industries.

We look forward to welcoming further investments in other machinery production industries that can facilitate the growth of other export-oriented sectors." The Executive Chairman also encouraged Lee's Tobacco's Chairman to serve as a brand ambassador for Bangladesh's EPZs, helping attract even more international investors.
Chairman of Lee's Tobacco Machinery Company Limited, Mr. Li Meng, expressed his commitment to focusing on BEPZA's potential and encouraging other investors to consider the EPZs and EZ under BEPZA. He assured BEPZA of his company's dedication to transferring specialised knowledge and expertise in machinery production to Bangladeshi workers. He added that it would help build a skilled workforce capable of producing machinery new to the country's industrial landscape. Mr Li also shared plans to establish two more industries in the BEPZA EZ shortly, further enhancing the zone's industrial capabilities.

Senior BEPZA officials, including Member (Engineering) Md, attended the signing ceremony. Imtiaz Hossain, Member (Finance) A N M Foyzul Haque, Executive Director (Investment Promotion) Md. Tanvir Hossain, Executive Director (Admin) Md. Tazim-Ur-Rahman, Executive Director (Public Relations) A S M Anwar Parvez, and Lee's Tobacco Machinery Company Limited representatives.