BEPZA Strengthens Cargo Monitoring with Modern Weighbridges at Dhaka EPZ

🚢 Savar, Dhaka, Bangladesh — The Bangladesh Export Processing Zones Authority (BEPZA) has strengthened cargo monitoring at Dhaka EPZ with the installation of modern weighbridges — part of a broader initiative to improve transparency and accountability across all BEPZA-run export processing zones.

📊 BEPZA Executive Chairman Major General Mohammad Moazzem Hossain inaugurated two weighbridges at the old and extension zones of Dhaka EPZ on 7 September 2026. The weighbridges, installed at the main gates of both zones, will enable the accurate measurement and digital recording of goods transported by containers, covered vans and other vehicles entering and leaving the zones.

📋 Key Features of the Weighbridge System

📊 The new weighbridge system offers several capabilities:

• 📊 Accurate measurement of goods by weight — containers, vans, vehicles
• 💻 Digital recording — automatic data capture and storage
• 🚢 Entry/exit monitoring — tracks all cargo entering and leaving zones
• 📊 Real-time data — enables immediate comparison with declared values
• 📋 Bonded facility compliance — ensures proper use of duty-free imports

💰 Why Weighbridges Matter for EPZ Operations

📊 The facilities are expected to:

• 🔍 Strengthen monitoring of goods transportation and commercial activities at Dhaka EPZ
• 📊 Improve efficiency in handling of import and export cargo
• 📊 Enhance accountability in cargo handling processes
• 📊 Enhance transparency in measuring goods imported and exported under bonded facilities
• 📊 Improve accuracy of information on goods entering and exiting the zones
• 📊 Ensure proper utilisation of imported raw materials
• 📊 Strengthen monitoring of bonding activities
• 📊 Maintain discipline in commercial operations
• 💰 Safeguard revenue — prevent underreporting and misdeclaration

🌏 Nationwide Expansion Planned

📊 Following Dhaka EPZ, BEPZA is progressing with the installation of similar modern weighbridges at:

• 🚢 Chattogram EPZ — Bangladesh’s major port city
• 🏭 Adamjee EPZ — major industrial hub
• 🏭 Cumilla EPZ — growing industrial zone
• 🚢 Karnaphuli EPZ — near Chattogram port

📊 Weighbridges will be installed gradually across all BEPZA-run zones, creating a nationwide cargo monitoring network across Bangladesh’s export processing zone system.

👥 Event Participants

📊 The inauguration event was attended by:

• 🏛 Mohammad Abdul Jabbar — Executive Director of Dhaka EPZ
• 🏛 Lt. Col. Md. Mohseen Hasan — Executive Director (Security) of BEPZA
• 👥 Other BEPZA and Dhaka EPZ officials

🏭 BEPZA: Bangladesh's EPZ Network

📊 BEPZA operates 8 Export Processing Zones (EPZs) and 2 Economic Zones across Bangladesh:

• 🏭 Chattogram EPZ — near main seaport
• 🏭 Dhaka EPZ (old and extension) — Savar
• 🏭 Adamjee EPZ — Narayanganj
• 🏭 Cumilla EPZ — Cumilla
• 🏭 Ishwardi EPZ — Pabna
• 🏭 Karnaphuli EPZ — Chattogram
• 🏭 Uttara EPZ — Nilphamari
• 🏭 Mongla EPZ — Bagerhat
• 🏭 BEPZA Economic Zone-1 — Mirsharai, Chattogram
• 🏭 BEPZA Economic Zone-2 — Mirsharai, Chattogram (just made export debut)

💰 Bangladesh EPZ: Export Contribution

📊 Bangladesh’s EPZs are critical to the country’s export economy:

• 💰 Significant share of national exports — EPZs host hundreds of enterprises
• 👕 RMG and textiles — largest sector in EPZs
• 💰 FDI attraction — EPZs host many foreign-invested enterprises
• 👥 Employment generation — hundreds of thousands of workers
• 📊 Bonded warehouse facilities — duty-free import of raw materials
• 📊 Export diversification — electronics, pharmaceuticals, leather goods

📋 Bonded Facility Misuse Concerns

📊 The weighbridge installation addresses long-standing concerns about bonded facility misuse:

• ⚠ Underreporting of imports — some enterprises declaring less than actual import volume
• ⚠ Domestic market diversion — duty-free imports sold in domestic market
• ⚠ Wastage allowance abuse — excessive wastage claims to divert material
• ⚠ Weight manipulation — inaccurate weight recording enabling misdeclaration
• ⚠ Revenue loss — customs and NBR losing revenue from misdeclaration

✅ The digital weighbridge system addresses these concerns by providing independent, automated weight verification that cannot be easily manipulated — creating a digital trail for every cargo movement in and out of the EPZ.

🌏 Strategic Context: Bangladesh Export Infrastructure Modernisation

📊 For Bangladesh’s broader export infrastructure, the BEPZA weighbridge initiative represents a meaningful step toward digital cargo monitoring:

• 💻 Digital transformation — moving from manual to digital cargo tracking
• 📊 Data-driven monitoring — real-time data for regulatory compliance
• 🚫 Fraud prevention — automated systems reduce human manipulation
• 💰 Revenue protection — accurate weight data prevents underreporting
• 📊 NBR coordination — data can be shared with customs for cross-verification
• 📊 International standards — aligns with global EPZ best practices

✅ For Bangladesh’s export community, particularly EPZ-based enterprises, the weighbridge system creates both opportunities and obligations. Enterprises that have been operating transparently will benefit from the level playing field that accurate monitoring creates — while those that have relied on underreporting or misdeclaration will need to adjust their practices. The nationwide rollout across all BEPZA zones will create a consistent monitoring framework that supports fair competition and regulatory compliance across Bangladesh’s entire EPZ network.

🌏 For BEPZA’s broader institutional modernisation agenda, the weighbridge initiative complements other recent developments — including the Economic Zone-2 export debut and the planned expansion of the BEPZA zone network. Together, these initiatives position BEPZA as a more transparent, efficient and internationally credible investment destination — supporting Bangladesh’s broader goal of attracting FDI and diversifying exports beyond ready-made garments as the country prepares for LDC graduation.