Bepza inks $111m deals to set up industries in Mirsarai; 7,600 new jobs in pipeline

The Bangladesh Export Processing Zones Authority (Bepza) has signed land lease agreements with four companies, including investors from China and Singapore, to set up industries at the Bepza Economic Zone in Chattogram's Mirsharai, involving a total proposed investment of $111.26 million.

The agreements were signed today (6 November) at the Bepza Complex in Dhaka. Once operational, the new industries are expected to create 7,607 jobs for Bangladeshi nationals, according to a Bepza press release.

Among the four investors, three are fully foreign-owned — from China, Singapore, and a China–Singapore joint venture — while one is a Bangladeshi company. 

The projects will operate in sectors such as footwear, leather processing, testing services, and garment accessories.

The largest investment will come from Tai Ma Shoes (BD) Co Ltd, a Chinese company, which plans to invest $55.05 million to set up a footwear manufacturing facility producing seven million pairs of shoes annually and employing 5,900 workers.

Bangladesh Songshin Leather Co Ltd, a Singapore-based firm, will invest $25.03 million to establish a leather processing factory, producing 36 million square feet of finished leather a year and generating 480 jobs.

Annray Holding (BD) Co Ltd, jointly owned by investors from China and Singapore, will invest $20.03 million to establish a state-of-the-art testing laboratory serving industries across Bangladesh, employing 770 people.

The lone Bangladeshi investor, Wraptox Industries Ltd, will invest $11.15 million to produce garment accessories such as labels, tags, tapes, and packaging materials, with an annual production target of 20,000 tonnes and employment for 457 workers.

Md Ashraful Kabir, Bepza member (investment promotion), signed the agreements on behalf of the authority. 

Representatives of the four companies — including Tai Ma Shoes Chairman Liao Weijun, Songshin Leather General Manager Zhang Guangxin, Annray Holding General Manager Hu Xinlin, and Wraptox Industries Managing Director Md Morshed Khan — signed for their respective firms.

Bepza Executive Chairman Major General Mohammad Moazzem Hossain attended the ceremony as chief guest. Congratulating the investors, he reaffirmed BEPZA's commitment to providing round-the-clock support and a business-friendly environment.

He said Bepza is continuously modernising its service delivery to enhance investor satisfaction and urged the companies to begin construction quickly and start exports soon. He also invited further investment, especially in the electronics sector.

Md Ashraful Kabir encouraged Chinese investors to explore opportunities in Bepza's upcoming economic zones in Jashore and Patuakhali.

Speaking at the event, JC, chairman of Song Shin Group Pte Ltd, praised Bepza's services and business environment. "I think Bepza EZ is our good choice. We look forward to growing together," he said.

The ceremony was attended by BEPZA officials including Abdullah Al Mamun, Member (Engineering); A N M Foyzul Haque, Member (Finance); Lt Col Mohammad Arifur Rahaman, Executive Director (Security); Samir Biswas, Executive Director (Admin); and A.S.M. Anwar Parvez, Executive Director (Public Relations), along with senior company representatives.