BEPZA Secures Record $718 Million in Investment Proposals as Apparel Manufacturing Enters New Phase

The Bangladesh Export Processing Zones Authority (BEPZA) secured a record $718 million in investment proposals during fiscal year 2025-26 — the highest annual figure in the authority's history and a 44% increase from $498 million in FY2024-25. The proposals came from 36 companies that signed lease agreements during the year, with the projects expected to create 75,744 jobs once fully operational.

Apparel Sector Remains the Anchor

According to BEPZA data, 59% of its 451 operational enterprises are linked to apparel manufacturing. Readymade garments account for 33%, garment accessories 18%, and textiles 8%. This strong apparel base is increasingly attracting investment into higher-value product categories such as fashion accessories, footwear, leather goods, and light engineering — a strategic shift that reduces dependence on basic garment manufacturing while strengthening supply-chain value addition.

Exports Outperform National Average

Exports from BEPZA zones increased 2.2% to $8.41 billion in FY2025-26, even as Bangladesh's national exports declined 0.58% to $48 billion. As a result, BEPZA's contribution to national exports rose to 17.51% — underlining the competitive advantage of export processing zones with faster customs clearance, dedicated infrastructure, and streamlined investor support.

Foreign Direct Investment Signals Long-Term Confidence

According to Bangladesh Bank data, BEPZA attracted $221.58 million in net foreign direct investment during the first nine months of FY2025-26 — representing 19.61% of Bangladesh's total net FDI during the period. Actual investment (excluding working capital) reached $286 million, primarily for factory construction and production machinery installation.

A particularly encouraging signal is repeat investment from existing foreign investors. China's Kaixi Group, for example, invested $40.5 million in Kaixi Garments Bangladesh after previously committing $60.85 million to Kaixi Lingerie Bangladesh — a pattern that industry analysts view as a strong indicator of long-term business-environment confidence.

Employment at Record High

BEPZA added 25,164 jobs in FY2025-26, bringing total employment across its zones to 558,691 — the highest in the authority's history. The new projects are expected to further expand this workforce, particularly in higher-skill manufacturing roles as product diversification deepens.

Wider Investment Context

The UNCTAD World Investment Report 2026 noted that foreign direct investment into Bangladesh increased 45% to $1.78 billion in 2025. BEPZA's performance stands out by combining investment growth with export expansion and employment generation — three indicators that, taken together, suggest the export processing zone model continues to deliver tangible results for Bangladesh's manufacturing economy.