Volume II,Issue IV, March 2026
Volume-II, Issue-IV, March, 2026 |
Received: 23.02.2026 | Accepted: 19.03.2026 | ||
Published Online: 31.03.2026 | Page No: | ||
DOI: 10.69655/atmadeep.vol.2.issue.04W. | |||
জাতীয় অর্থনীতিতে ইপিজেড- এর অবদান: চ্যালেঞ্জ ও সম্ভাবনা
মেহজাবীন ইলাহী, সিনিয়র অফিসার ও গবেষক, ইনস্টিটিউত অব রিসার্চ এক্সিলেন্স, বেগম রোকেয়া বিশ্ববিদ্যালয়, বাংলাদেশ |
Contribution of EPZs to the National Economy: Challenges and Prospects
Mehjabin Elahi, Senior Research Officer, Institute of Research Excellence, Begum Rokeya University, Bangladesh | ||
ABSTRACT | ||
Export Processing Zones (EPZs) are contributing greatly to the economy of Bangladesh, including earning foreign exchange. The objectives of this study are to review the history and historical context of EPZs in Bangladesh, to assess the contribution of EPZs to the national economy, to analyze the challenges of EPZs, and to discuss the opportunities of EPZs. This study has been carried out according to the qualitative research method, where information and data have been collected from secondary and open sources. The findings of the study suggest that it was observed that the first EPZ of Bangladesh was in South Halishahar of Chattogram in 1983 AD; the 2nd EPZ was in Savar, Dhaka EPZ in 1993 AD; Comilla EPZ was in Cumilla city in 2000 AD; Ishwardi EPZ was in Pabna in 2001 AD; and Uttara EPZ was in Nilphamari (Shangalshi) in Rangpur in the same year. The Mongla EPZ was established in 1998 at the Mongla port area in Bagerhat (1998); the Adamjee EPZ at Siddhirganj in Narayanganj in 2006; and the Karnaphuli EPZ was formed in the same year at North Patenga, Chattogram. There are 451 industrial establishments in the eight EPZs that were established in Bangladesh, of which 149 are garment factories. A total of US$ 81.04 million has been invested in eight EPZs in the last three months (July-September, 2020). On the other hand, employment opportunities have been created for 6,536 Bangladeshi citizens. Sometimes, foreign investors often face problems related to EPZ investment in terms of long-time delay, complexity of required documents, corruption, etc. In fiscal year 2021-2022, EPZ is making a great contribution to sustaining the country's investment, export earnings, and employment generation. The government needs to take more initiatives and amend policies to acquire trust from domestic and foreign investors. It will accelerate economic growth and earn foreign currency for Bangladesh. | ||
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