Photo: BGMEA

DHAKA, Aug 10, 2026 (BSS) - The Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) and the Bangladesh Economic Zones Investors Association (BEZIA) today held a high-level meeting to discuss ways to accelerate fresh investment in economic zones and address existing infrastructural and policy-related challenges faced by investors.

The bilateral meeting was held at the BGMEA Complex in Uttara here.

BEZIA President M A Jabbar led his organisation's delegation, while BGMEA President Mahmud Hasan Khan led the BGMEA side, said a press release.

BEZIA Vice-President Md Halimuzzaman, Director Delwar H Titu, CEO Dr Aparupa Chowdhury and member Md Mustafizur Rahman were also present at the meeting.

BGMEA Vice-President (Finance) Mijanur Rahman took part in the discussions.

The meeting discussed the current progress of plots allocated in five government economic zones, which have been prioritised for full operationalisation in the first phase under the government's short-term priorities, as well as various policy obstacles facing investors.

M A Jabbar said many entrepreneurs had already paid substantial amounts for plots but were facing uncertainty due to delays in the development of infrastructure and utility facilities.

He said only 27 enterprises are currently in production on around 39,000 acres of land across the five zones, while only 37 percent of the total allocated land is presently operational.

The meeting stressed the need for ensuring uninterrupted gas and industrial water supplies and called for joint advocacy against the imposition of additional service charges before factories become fully operational.

The two organisations agreed to jointly raise several key policy issues with the government's high-level authorities to ensure a more investment-friendly environment in the economic zones.

Among the major demands were a complete waiver of BEZA-imposed service charges on utility bills until the promised uninterrupted utility supply is ensured and the introduction of sector-wise equivalent cash incentives for investors operating inside economic zones to maintain parity with enterprises located outside the zones.

The meeting also called for eliminating double taxation arising from the obligation to pay 15 percent VAT at both the master leaseholder and subsequent sub-leaseholder levels and sought a full VAT exemption on lease tariffs.

Participants further emphasised allowing deemed exports to domestic bond-licensed exporters without requiring EXP and EP documents in order to reduce administrative complexities and save time.

The meeting also underscored the importance of making 99-year lease mutations bankable and ensuring the effective implementation of one-stop services in economic zones.

M A Jabbar noted that there are 41 BGMEA unit investors in the National Special Economic Zone in Mirsarai, Chattogram, highlighting the scope and rationale for closer cooperation between BGMEA and BEZIA on national and policy matters concerning the garment sector.

Against this backdrop, he invited BGMEA to nominate a representative to the BEZIA Board of Directors to further strengthen coordination between the two organisations and help ensure sustainable industrialisation in the economic zones.

BGMEA President Mahmud Hasan Khan welcomed the proposal and expressed his agreement, promising to nominate a suitable representative from BGMEA at the earliest.

At the conclusion of the meeting, the top leaders of the two organisations expressed strong optimism that their joint policy advocacy would encourage the Bangladesh Economic Zones Authority (BEZA) to take prompt and far-reaching measures to resolve infrastructural challenges and policy complexities in the economic zones.