DHAKA, Sept 09, 2026 (BSS)- Export operations have officially begun at BEPZA Economic Zone-2 in Mirsharai, Chattogram with a UAE and Singaporean-owned enterprise exporting tobacco machinery worth US$50,000 to Indonesia.

Lee’s Tobacco Machinery Company Ltd., the first exporting enterprise of the economic zone, received its inaugural export permission from Bangladesh Export Processing Zones Authority (BEPZA) on September 3 and made the shipment to Indonesia on September 8, said a press release.

The development marks the entry of BEPZA Economic Zone-2 into its operational phase and brings the total number of operational industrial zones under BEPZA to 10, comprising eight Export Processing Zones (EPZs) and two Economic Zones.

Lee’s Tobacco Machinery Company signed a land lease agreement with BEPZA on February 3, 2025. Its current investment stands at US$3.72 million, creating employment for 29 officers, staff and workers.

Of the 18 enterprises allotted industrial plots in BEPZA Economic Zone-2, Lee’s Tobacco Machinery Company is the first to commence commercial operations. 

Three more enterprises are expected to begin production and export activities soon, while the remaining 14 are currently under construction.

Md. Whaheduzzaman, Executive Director of BEPZA Economic Zone-2, said the volume of Bangladesh’s exports to Indonesia remains comparatively low.

“In this context, the commencement of exports from BEPZA Economic Zone-2 to Indonesia is expected to contribute positively to expanding Bangladesh’s export market and diversifying its export destinations,” he said.

BEPZA Economic Zone was established on 1,138.55 acres of land in Mirsharai, Chattogram. 

To facilitate smooth administrative and operational management, the large industrial zone was divided into two separate zones—BEPZA Economic Zone-1 and BEPZA Economic Zone-2.

The government has officially declared the two areas as separate economic zones.