Adamjee EPZ: A boon for export, employment

Throughout the last 15 years since its inception in 2006, the Adamjee Export Processing Zone has appeared as a boon for the export and employment sectors of Bangladesh.

It has so far exported commodities worth $5.91 billion and hiked employment opportunities by 30%, greatly contributing to the country’s economic advancement.

The Adamjee EPZ started its journey thanks to the closure of much-discussed Adamjee Jute Mill in 2002. The BNP-Jamaat government had shut the largest jute mill of Asia on June 30 of the year in the face of incessant losses.

At the time of closure, the estimated losses incurred by the jute mill was Tk1,200 crore. Some 25,000 workers and employees turned unemployed in the aftermath.

Later, the government formulated a different plan for the closed jute mill and gave it a shape of export processing zone.

In further development, the mill was handed over to Bangladesh Export Processing Zone Authority (BEPZA) and a full-fledged EPZ kicks off its journey on March 6, 2006. According to sources, Adamjee Jute Mill was situated on 294.88 acres of land. But the EPZ was launched on 245.12 acres of land with 229 plots. The remaining land accommodates some 200 non-Bangali families, in addition to a large pond. There is no more vacant plot right now, but initiatives have been taken to arrange more spaces by evicting old structures of Adamjee Jute Mill.

Currently, a total of 51 factories are manufacturing varieties of products, including knit garments, woven garments, zippers, packaging, hangers, levels, tags, shoes, sweaters, textiles, jewelry, poly and dyeing items, in the EPZ. Of the factories, 13 are owned by local companies, 26 by foreign manu facturers, and 12 of joint-ownership.

Several developed countries, including Hong Kong, Canada, Japan, Romania, Singapore, Germany, the UAE, the United States, Thailand, India, Malaysia, Pakistan, Ukraine, South Korea, Kuwait, Portugal, China and Mauritius, have so far invested in the EPZ.

Meanwhile, nine companies have also shut their factories in the EPZ due to different sorts of adversities.

According to BEPZA sources, the AdamjeeEPZ started its journey with only 1,625 workers and employees. In course of time and advancement, the number reached nearly 50,000 in June this year, which is 30% higher than the previous figure.More than 200 foreigners were also among the employees.

When it comes to investment, the EPZ witnessed uninterrupted hike throughout its journey. In June, the amount of total investment at the EPZ stood at $750 million, which was only $4 million during its inception.

The BEPZA official also revealed that they are planning to found a high-standard school inside the EPZ, in addition to an existing primary school.

Besides, a project proposal has been sent to the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) for providing safe and quality housing to around 200 non-Bangalees on a land of around 50 acres inside the EPZ. The project will be implemented under the much-appreciated Ashrayan Project undertaken by the PMO.

At the same time, a medical center has been constructed inside the EPZ with the modern facilities, including ECG equipment, ambulance service and so on.

Also, the authorities have permitted erecting a high-quality restaurant inside the EPZ under private ownership taking into account the people involved in various businesses that have sprung up centering the industrial zone. The restaurant has been in operation for the last few years.

Considering the overall safety of the businesses, a unit of Industrial Police-4 has been set up in the area. The police personnel are working tirelessly to safeguard the traders, workers, and employees.

There is also a fire service office to avert any untoward fire accidents.