BEPZA Economic Zone-2 in Mirsharai, Chattogram, has started commercial operations with its first export. Lee’s Tobacco Machinery Company Ltd shipped tobacco machinery worth $50,000 to Indonesia on 8 September 2026.

The company received export permission from the Bangladesh Export Processing Zones Authority (BEPZA) on 3 September. It is the first enterprise in the zone to begin exporting.

The shipment marks the start of commercial operations at BEPZA Economic Zone-2. It also brings the number of operational BEPZA industrial zones to 10. These include eight Export Processing Zones (EPZs) and two Economic Zones.

According to Md Whaheduzzaman, Executive Director of BEPZA Economic Zone-2, the export could help expand trade with Indonesia. It may also support Bangladesh’s efforts to diversify its export destinations.

Lee’s Tobacco Machinery Company is a 100% export-oriented enterprise with investment from the United Arab Emirates and Singapore. The company manufactures machinery used in tobacco product manufacturing.

BEPZA approved the company on 22 January 2025. It has invested $3.72 million in the facility and currently employs 29 officers, employees, and workers.

BEPZA Economic Zone was established on 1,138.55 acres in Mirsharai. The zone was later divided into Economic Zone-1 and Economic Zone-2 to support more effective administrative and operational management.

Economic Zone-1 has allotted plots to 47 enterprises. Of these, 15 have started production.

Meanwhile, Economic Zone-2 has allotted plots to 18 enterprises. Lee’s Tobacco Machinery Company has started commercial operations, while three more enterprises are expected to begin production and exports soon. The remaining 14 enterprises are currently under construction.

Source: The Business Standard