A significant event has taken place as Handa (Bangladesh) Garments Co. Ltd., a Chinese apparel firm, confirmed a US$41.33 million investment in the Mirsarai Economic Zone, marking a landmark in local industrial growth and foreign trade linkages. The agreement was signed with the Bangladesh Export Processing Zones Authority, setting the stage for a state-of-the-art automated apparel factory that will produce over 72 million pieces annually, including T-shirts, jackets, overcoats, baby garments and more. The project expects to create jobs for over 10,000 Bangladeshi workers, emphasizing technology transfer and sustainable production. Executives involved highlighted that the factory will operate digitally, with advanced systems rather than relying solely on low-cost labor, and will integrate local teams in design, development, and operations to serve Japanese and European buyers directly. The investment adds to 43 agreements in the Mirsarai zone, which total nearly US$983 million in proposed capital and include several factories already in production or under construction. The BEPZA chairman pledged full support to help resolve any regulatory or logistical hurdles, promising land delivery and coordinated assistance with agencies like Bangladesh Bank, the tax authority, and environmental regulators. This marks a promising shift toward higher-value manufacturing and global competitiveness, as Bangladesh balances agricultural trade with growing industrial exports. Stakeholders believe that such high-profile foreign investment into a BEPZA-managed economic zone will help diversify exports beyond textiles, foster skilled employment, and strengthen integration into global value chains. Experts say partnerships like this underscore the importance of well-managed industrial parks in attracting international investors while boosting national trade capacity. As the factory ramp-up begins, local apparel firms may benefit from spillover effects in training, supply linkages, and productivity improvements. This project also highlights the shifting trade dynamics as Bangladesh deepens industrial cooperation with global partners, signalling confidence in the country’s investment climate and labour force. If the factory meets its production and export targets, it could become a model for future collaborations between foreign investors and local stakeholders, bridging investments into job creation, export growth, and regional development. The initiative suggests a positive trajectory for Bangladesh’s industrial ambitions and trade strategy, offering tangible proof that carefully managed zones can deliver mutual benefits for investors, local workers, and national economic targets.
