Bepza Economic Zone to get first-ever airplane amenity bag, kit manufacturing industry

The Bepza Economic Zone is set to receive investment from an airplane amenity bag and kit manufacturing company.

Chinese firm KMK Industrial Ltd will invest $18.60 million in the economic zone, creating employment opportunities for 1,231 Bangladeshi nationals, according to a press release issued by the Bangladesh Export Processing Zones Authority (Bepza) today.

Bepza described the investment as "a significant step" towards diversifying the country's industrial base, as it will be the first-ever airplane amenity bag and kit manufacturing company to invest in the authority's industrial enclaves.

"This marks a breakthrough in introducing a unique and diversified product line to the portfolio of industries under Bepza," the release said.

Bepza and KMK Industrial signed an agreement in this regard on September 14.

The company will initially manufacture airplane amenity bags and gradually expand into producing in-house items such as socks, garments and accessories, cosmetics, and selected electronic products, including headphones and USB cables.

Speaking at the signing ceremony, Bepza Executive Chairman Major General Abul Kalam Mohammad Ziaur Rahman said: "This project represents a milestone in our continuous effort to diversify export-oriented industries."

"We strongly encourage investors to develop in-house production capacity and source materials from local enterprises, thereby strengthening both industry and the national economy," he added.