Ten more industrial units are likely to be set up at the Mongla Export Processing Zone within a short time and the units are expected to provide employment to at least 7,000 people.
The Bangladesh Export Processing Zone authorities have given approval to set up 29 industrial units at the Mongla EPZ. There are a total of 124 industrial plots having all the infrastructural facilities, reports the Financial Express.
Of them, 17 are already in operation by foreign investors, joint venture and local entrepreneurs. The units had so far earned Tk 1.83 billion by exporting goods from MEPZ, concern source said.
Khulna Chambers of Commerce and Industries sources said the Mongla EPZ was not developed properly due to non-cooperation by the authority concerned. Thousands of unemployed people of the southern region would get employment opportunities if sufficient number of industries were established here, they added.
Sources said construction of airport at Khulna, PadmaBridge at Mawa and operation of Shabajpur gasfield is badly needed to increase number of foreign investors particularly from India, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Myanmar and Thailand.
The EPZ was established on 460 acres of land in 1998 at Mongla port area with 124 industrial plots. The price of a plot here is almost half compared to other EPZs and there is an adequate system for transporting goods through roads and waterways.
EPZ sources said 17 industries have been running in Mongla EPZ. The Industries are Omker Agro Processor (BD) limited, M/S Pess Tobaco Industries ( BD and India) Limited, M/s Mongla Sea Food Processing Company Limited (China), M/s Bangladesh Agro and Processors Ltd (India and Thailand), Mongla Kintwear Ltd. (China), M/s Bora International Ltd (China), M/s YCL International Industries Ltd. (China), M/s Eric Nut Growers Ltd, (India and Bangladesh), M/s Truparti Industries , M/s Jahan Processing and Export Limited (Bangladesh and India) , TA & PA Engineering (Italy and BD) , M/s Tara Exim Corporation, M/s Shatorshi Ltd, M/s Han Seng Paper Accessories Industries, M/s Rasha Industries, M/s Eastern Polymer and M/s VIP Industries Ltd (India and UK).
The industries are producing travel bag, edible oil, cigarette, rubber sheet, gum tape, betel nut processing etc and exported to India, Thailand, Singapore, UK, USA, Italy and Germany.
Manager of Agro Growers Processors said if gas supply and communications system could be developed here it could attract more investors.
General Manager of Mongla EPZ Hafizur Rahman said that Mongla EPZ playing a pioneering role to socio-economic development of the region. He also said that MEPZ eradicated the poverty from this region through creating employment opportunity. Besides, MEPZ is taking part to make a more dynamic of Mongla port.
