Nine new units will start production in Comilla Export Processing Zone soon which will create employment opportunities for about 15,000 workers.Managing Director of Bangladesh Export Processing Zone Authority (BEPZA), Comilla, Md Abdus Sobhan said at present there are 20,000 workers in the EPZ and employment will be created for 15,000 more workers when the nine new units will start operation.
There are 238 plots in Comilla EPZ at present, of which 235 plots have been allocated and the earth filling work of the rest three plots is progressing.
Official sources said there is a plan to expand the area and set up 531 industrial plots in future. The World Bank will finance the expansion project.
Production in these units includes sweater, denim fabrics, garments, electric appliances, shoes, zipper, yarn, poly bag, plastic material and textile.
At present, 15 foreign companies, nine joint-venture and 10 Bangladeshi companies have been operating in the zone. Investments were made here from the U.K. Taiwan, Sri Lanka, Hong Kong, Japan,
Malaysia, China, the Netherlands, France, USA, Ireland, South Korea, Indonesia and Pakistan.
BEPZA assistant manager ASM Anwar Pervez said the nine new companies will make a huge investment in the EPZ.
Of them, Chinese owned Bangladesh Textile and Chemical Fibre will invest US$ 255 million, Japan’s toy factory Hasi Tiger Company Ltd $ 1 m, Japan’s Cat garment $ 3.5 m, UK and China jointly owned company Tung Hing Bangladesh Manufactory Ltd $ 150.5 m, Sri Lanka’s Western Paper industries $ 20.5 m, Pakistan’s Surti Textile BD $ 220.5 m, Turkey’s Star Carpet Private Ltd $ 20 m, Turkish-Bangladesh jointly owned TNS garment $ 421 m and Bangladesh Oaisis Sportswear Ltd $ 61.5 m. (Source: UNB)
