Exports from EPZs grow 15.89pc in 11 months
Kawsar Khan
Enterprises in the country's export processing zones (EPZs) exported goods worth around $1,645 million in 11 months of the 2005-06 fiscal year, posting a 15.89 percent growth over the corresponding period of the previous year. During the period, the EPZ units also employed 21,260 people, official statistics said. The enterprises in EPZs exported goods worth $1,548.68 million in FY 2004-05, the Bepza (Bangladesh Export Processing Zones Authority) statistics said. The eight EPZs in the country also contributed to nearly 17.90 per cent of the total export earning during the 11 months of FY 2005-06, Prasanta Bhushan Barua, member (investment promotion) of Bepza told the newspaper. However, the monthly foreign investment rate in the EPZs has declined. The EPZs attracted $ 91.27 million in the 11 months at a monthly rate of $ 8.29 million. In FY 2004-05, $118.52 million was invested at a rate of $9.87 million investment per month. Adamjee EPZ, after starting operation in March this year with an aim of receiving $400 million investment in the first 18 months, witnessed investment of $ 4 million up to May, 2006. The seventh EPZ of the country also created 1,570 jobs as ten enterprises were set up during the period. Statistics said the eight EPZs -- Dhaka, Chittagong, Mongla, Comilla, Uttrara in Nilphamari, Ishwardi, Adamjee and Karnaphuli EPZs across the country have a total of 370 industrial units with a cumulative investment of $ 958.28 million. Foreign investors from 31 countries have invested in EPZs with South Korea topping the list followed by Japan, China and the US. South Koreans have 59 industrial units while Japanese have 24, Chinese 25 and Americans 12 in the EPZs. Local investors have set up 57 industrial units in the EPZs. The total number of employment in the EPZs up to May 2006 stood at 1,75,948, of which 60 percent are females.
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