Chattogram:Senior officials from the Prime Minister's Office, including Special Assistant Bijan Kanti Sarkar and Principal Secretary A B M Abdus Sattar, visited the Chattogram and Karnaphuli Export Processing Zones (EPZs) on October 28, 2026. This visit followed their earlier tour of the BEPZA Economic Zone on October 27, 2026.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, during the visit to Chattogram EPZ, the delegation was briefed by Abdullah Al Mamun, Member (Engineering), Lieutenant Colonel Md. Mohseen Hasan, Executive Director (Security) of BEPZA, and Md. Shariful Islam, Executive Director of Chattogram EPZ. They provided comprehensive updates on BEPZA's operational activities, investment levels, export metrics, employment generation, infrastructural facilities, workers' welfare, and eco-friendly industrialization efforts.
Md. Shariful Islam highlighted the historic contribution of Shaheed President Ziaur Rahman in the establishment of EPZs in Bangladesh. He emphasized that under the leadership of the Prime Minister, investor-friendly policies and efforts toward economic development are driving BEPZA's growth. He also mentioned customs-related issues and policy challenges, including the imposition of Advance Income Tax on bonded industrial enterprises and the impact of import duties on certain yarns.
At Karnaphuli EPZ, Executive Director Mahbub Ahmed Siddiq noted the 20-year milestone of the zone, crediting the transformation of the abandoned Chittagong Steel Mills into Karnaphuli EPZ in 2006 under Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia. The delegation visited various companies, including Pacific Jeans Limited and Talisman Performance Limited at Chattogram EPZ, as well as Kenpark Apparels and Park BD at Karnaphuli EPZ, to observe their operations and working conditions.
The officials expressed satisfaction with the management and production activities at the EPZs, commending BEPZA's contributions to national exports, foreign investment attraction, employment creation, and sustainable industrialization. The visit also included Nurjahan Khanom, Director General-1, and Fahmid Farhan, Director-1 of the Prime Minister's Office, along with senior officials from the EPZs.