The exports from Mongla Export Processing Zone (EPZ) increased 16 times in the past 10 years. Investments also witnessed an eleven-fold rise, while about 4,500 people make a living in the zone.
“Mongla EPZ was established on 289 acres of land in 1998 in line with the decision of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. Currently, 128 factories are in operation and 15 more will go into operation soon,” said Executive Manager of Bangladesh Export Processing Zones Authority (BEPZA) Nazma Binte Alamgir, reports BSS.
Talking to BSS, Nazma said the Mongla Port has become active because of the Mongla EPZ, as products worth Tk 40.75 billion were exported via this seaport in 2018, which is 16 times higher from Tk 2.95 billion in 2008.
Out of 192 industrial plots in the zone, 165 plots have already been allocated among the investors, she added.
In 2008, EPZ drew investments worth Tk 450 million but investments witnessed a significant rise in 2018 as the port town EPZ drew Tk 5.1 billion worth of investments – an increase of eleven-fold in the last 10 years.
Nazma said previously the economy of this part of the country depended on agriculture and fishing. Now the situation has largely been changed as workers in the EPZ are involved in producing products ranging from heating pads of Toyota cars, VIP luggage bag, North American towel, jute based products to marble stone accessories etc, she said.
These products are being exported to India, China, Japan, South Korea, Thailand, Italy, the United Arab Emirates, the Netherlands, Indonesia and a few more countries in Middle East and Europe, she added.
Traffic Manager of Mongla Port Authority (MPA) Mohammad Shohag said the Mongla EPZ was established here to keep the Mongla Port active. Lands were acquired from the MPA to establish the EPZ.
Currently, few empty plots are left in Mongla EPZ. There has been a great industrialisation within the zone. The process of bringing in the raw materials is being done using the Mongla Port. For this reason the use of Mongla Port is on rise, he said.
A user of Mongla Port S M Nazrul Islam said huge people are employed due to the Mongla EPZ.
“Now, I am working in the EPZ and earn Tk 10,000 a month. The income of my husband and me is sufficient to meet the expenditure of my family,” said Rabeya Begum who works in a factory at Mongla EPZ.