EPZs in Bangladesh attracted US$ 135 million worth of foreign investments in the initial seven months of the current financial year 2010-11, according to the Bangladesh Export Processing Zone Authority (BEPZA).
Entrepreneurs, particularly from the South-East Asian countries, invested in several budding industries including textile, knitwear garment, woven garment and tent-making.
Chinese firms - M/s Universal Hats and Bags Ltd and Nantong Tong Feng, HKD, a tent manufacturer from Korea and an Indian garment firm - Gee Bee were the leading investors.
Further, whereas Karnaphuli EPZ's attracted highest investments worth $30.61 million, during the period under consideration, Chittagong EPZ stood second with investments worth $29.2 million.
Dhaka EPZ attracted investments worth $ 24.86 million during July to January 2011, while Comilla and Adamjee EPZ attracted investments worth $22.03 million and $18.35 million, respectively.
Mongla and Ishwardi EPZs could attract investments worth just $ 1.7 million and $ 2.60 million, respectively, which is the lowest amongst all EPZs.
Since 1983-84, the EPZs in the country have jointly attracted investments amounting to $ 1.93 billion.
During the review period, the EPZs provided direct and indirect employment to 19,635 and 282,392 people, respectively, while the manufacturing units under the EPZ, exported products of around $2 billion during the period.
Fibre2fashion News Desk - India