beautiful BANGLADESH from inside and outside: October 2018

Sunday, October 28, 2018

BEPZA's own Economic Zone in Mirsarai Chittagong

Bangladesh Export Processing Zone Authority (BEPZA) is going to establish and Economic Zone (EZ) in Mirsarai, Chittagong. This zone will be one of the important among all the Economic Zones of Bangladesh. On 18^th May 2017 BEPZA, BEZA and Chief Co-coordinator (SDG Affairs) of Prime Minister’s Office signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU). The BEPZA Economic Zone has started its journey through the signing.

BEZA (Bangladesh Economic Zone Authority) allocated 1150 acres of land to BEPZA for setting up this economic zone in Mirsarai, Chattogram. Number of industrial plots in this zone will be 850. Approximate investment amount in the economic zone will be around 4.5 billion US$ and it will create employment opportunities for around 5 Lac peoples. BEPZA is already a brand for local or foreign investors; the BEPZA EZ will be one of the important attractive zones to all the investors.

This economic zone will be able to achieve good reputations, efficiency in home and abroad since BEPZA is very expertise in setting up industrial zones, its development and operation. BEPZA is marching ahead successfully and set a unique example in attracting investment in the country for others to emulate. At present there are total eight Export Processing Zones located various areas in the country which are already been famed as Bonanza for the Investment. During the last 2009-16 period, BEPZA has attained US$ 2667.60 million investment in growth of 179.19%. Total export earned US$ 38330.99 with growth of 216.57% and generated employment facility for 2,55,118 peoples of growth 123.29%.

The Government of Bangladesh has planned to establish 100 public and private economic zones across the country which is a new concept of investment. BEZA aims to establish economic zones in all the potential areas in Bangladesh including backward and underdeveloped regions. The BEZA (Bangladesh Economic Zone Authority) is attached with the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) and is mandated to establish, license, operate, manage and control economic zones in Bangladesh.

Due to scarcity of land in all the EPZs located in Dhaka and Chittagong, it became very difficult to allot new industrial plots to the local and foreign investors. This problem will be solved and it will be possible to allocate plots to the potential Investors of BEPZA in Chittagong area. Moreover the professionalism and experience of BEPZA will expedite the development and maintenance of this Economic Zone.

BEPZA is also playing an important and excellent role in women empowerment and socio-economic development and progress. Till April 2017 around 4,63,000 Bangladeshi nationals are working in the 462 operational enterprises of eight EPZ in the country and among them 64% are female. In the last fiscal year, the all the Export Processing Zone gained US$ 404.36 million investment and exported goods worth US$ 6676.32 million. BEPZA is relentlessly working to increase and diversification of export, generation of employment by attracting investment in the country.

There will be smart road connectivity from Dhaka-Chittagong national highway to the BEPZA Economic Zone. The zone area is 65 KMs away from Chittagong / Chattogram Sea Port, 70 KMS away from Chittagong EPZ (CEPZ), 77 KMs from Chittagong International Airport and 199 KMs from Dhaka city.

Bangladesh Export Processing Zones Authority (BEPZA):

BEPZA COMPLEX, HOUSE: 19/D, ROAD: 6

DHANMONDI R/A, DHAKA, BANGLADESH

Phone: +88-02-9670530, 9675489, 9675410, 9672969

PABX: +880 2 9613459, 9613467, 9613462

Fax: +880 2 9661849, 9673020, 9665545

Email: chairman@bepza.org / chairman@bepza.gov.bd

member-ip@bepza.org / member.ip@bepza.gov.bd

gm-ip@bepza.org / gm.ip@bepza.gov.bd

gm-pr@bepza.org / gm.pr@bepza.gov.bd

Bangladesh Economic Zones Authority (BEZA):

Level 12, Monem Business District

111, Bir Uttam C.R. Dutta Road

Karwanbazar, Dhaka-1205, Bangladesh

Phone: +88-02-9632482

BEPZA Economic Zone Site (BEPZA EZ):

Mirsarai, Chattogram

Phone: +88-02-9665326

Fax: +880-02-9663020

Email: pd.ez@bepza.gov.bd

For more information please visit the official website of BEZA and BEPZA.

Thanks,

Related:

Government Owned Economic Zones List from BEZA
Some Economic Zones In BD are ready for Investment

Private Economic Zone list of Bangladesh

BEPZA | About Bangladesh Export Processing Zone Authority

About Adamjee Export Processing Zone | AEPZ

About Chattagram / Chittagong EPZ (CEPZ)

List of Investor in CEPZ

About Cumilla Export Processing Zone

About Dhaka Export Processing Zone | DEPZ

List of Investors in Dhaka EPZ

About Ishwardi Export Processing Zone | IEPZ

About Karnafuli EPZ, Chittagong
Uttara EPZ in Nilphamari district
Facilities for Investors in Bangladesh EPZs
About Korean EPZ in Anowara Chittagong
Bay Terminal in Chittagong Port
PCT | Patenga Container Terminal
Proposed Metro Rail Project in Chattogram City
Economic Zone for Tannery Industry in Chattogram
Karnaphuli Tunnel Project in Chattogram

Wednesday, October 10, 2018

Internet User in Bangladesh | 5th in Asia | 10th in the World

Bangladesh in now the fifth largest country based on the number of internet users in Asia. In the year 2000 total Internet user were only 100,000 whereas the estimated population was around 130 million. But at the end of 2017 the total number of internet user became 80,483,00 and the population was more than 166 million. In the past 17-18 years the internet growth rate of Bangladesh became 80,383% which is the top growth rate in Asia. The number of user is increasing rapidly day by day.

The statistics is based on a recent report published by the famous statistical website InternetWorldStats which is an independent data research organization. Based on the report, total number of FaceBook user in the country as of December, 2017 is 28 million and 48.40% people of Bangladesh got access to the internet. In November 2017 BTRC (Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission) provided a report where they said that the total internet user in Bangladesh is around eighty million.

The BTRC said, tremendous growth of internet users in the country came on the backdrop of the government's all-out endeavors to advance the country into a digital era by facilitating internet across the urban and rural areas. Among the users 74.7 million uses internet through mobile while rest 5.43 million uses WiMAX, Broadband and PSTN service for internet purpose.

The report from Internet World Stats said, in the last decades countries in Asia have shown an impressive growth trends in internet using. The report says the users in Bangladesh as a percentage of population was yet below the world average of 55.1% and in Asia of 49%. But the number of users is increasing so rapidly that within recent years it will be over 55%.

China is in top of the chart in terms of internet use with 772 million among total population of more than 1415 million, with a growth rate of 3331% in last 17 years. India is second in the list with a number of more than 462 million users among population of more than 1354 million where the growth rate is 9142%. India also has the largest number of FaceBook user is Asia which is around 251 million.

Indonesia is in the third place where total number of internet user is more than 143 million among the total population of more than 266 million, growth rate is 7063%. Japan is in fourth place on the list with a number of more than 118 million internet user among total population of more than 127 million where the growth rate is 152% in last 17 years.

Bangladesh is also the 10^th largest country based on the number of internet users among top 20 major internet using countries in the world. China is in the top, India is in the 2^nd place. United States of America (USA) is in third place with a number of more than 312 million users where the population is 326 million. Brazil is the fourth largest country in the world where the number of user is more than 149 million and the total population is around 211 million. Then Japan is sixth with 118 million, Russia is the seventh with 109 million, Nigeria is eighth with 98 million, Mexico is ninth with a number if 85 million and Bangladesh is the tenth largest country with more than 80 million internet users.

The report says in terms of population, across the world internet users are 95% in North America, 85% in Europe, 68.9% in Australia, 67.2% in Latin America, 64.5% in Middle East and 36.1% in Africa. The number of internet users has grown widely in all parts of the world. Asia has shown impressive growth trends in last 10 years.

South Korea has created access to internet to 47 million people. Pakistan has 44 million by the end of last year. Malaysia, Nepal and Myanmar made internet available to 25 million, 18 million and 16 million people respectively by the end of 2017. In Cambodia 8 million people had access to internet followed by Sri Lanka and Singapore with internet availability to 6 million and 4 million respectively.

Another report from LIRNEasia claimed on October 3 (2018) that 13 percent of Bangladeshi people aged between 15 and 65 using internet. The report also said 45 percent of the age group owned internet-friendly devices by late 2017.

Another report from statista says as of January 2018 China had 751 million internet users, India had 463 million, Indonesia had 132.7 million, Japan had 118.5 million, Bangladesh had 81.7 million, Philippines had 67 million, Vietnam had 64 million, Thailand had 54 million, South Korea had 47.35 million, Pakistan had 44.6 million, Malaysia had 25.08 million, Australia had 21.74 million, Taiwan had 20.82 million, Myanmar had 18 million, Nepal had 16.19 million, Sri Lanka had 6.71 and Hong Kong had 6.46 million internet users.

The above statistic shows the number of internet users in the Asia Pacific region as of January 2018. In 2012, 22.4 percent of the population accessed the internet via a mobile browser or an installed app. A year later, this figure grew to 25.9 percent of the populations and is expected to grow on a yearly basis, until at least 2018.

For more information’s please visit the links provided in this post.

Thanks a lot.

Read related posts:

District Web portals of Bangladesh

National Web Portal of Bangladesh

Computer and ICT Organizations in Bangladesh
Samsung Refrigerator Mobile Phone | Made in Bangladesh
BCSCL | Services Provided by Bangabandhu Satellite

Tuesday, October 2, 2018

EPZ in Bangladesh | Facilities and Incentives for Investors

Types of Investors: Classification of the local and foreign Investors in all the EPZs (Export Processing Zone) of Bangladesh are as per the policy of BEPZA are:

Type A: 100 percent foreign owned including Bangladesh nationals ordinarily resident abroad
Type B: Joint venture between Foreign and Bangladeshi resident entrepreneurs
Type C: 100 percent Bangladesh entrepreneurs resident in Bangladesh

Facilities and Incentives:

The authority provides various facilities and incentives for the investors in the EPZs. Below are some details of the list of Incentives & Facilities for the investors:

Fiscal Incentives:

Duty free import of construction materials
Duty free import of machinery, office equipment & spare parts etc
Duty free import and export of raw materials and finished goods
Relief from double taxation
Exemption from dividend tax
GSP facility available
Accelerated depreciation on machinery or plant allowed
Remittance of royalty, technical and consultancy fees allowed
Duty & quota free access to EU, Canada, Norway, Australia etc
10 years tax holiday for the Industries to be established before 1st January, 2012

Duration and rate of tax exemption for Mongla, Ishwardi & Uttara EPZ for the industries set up after January 01, 2012 is as follows:

First 03 years (1st, 2nd and 3rd year): 100 percent
Next 03 years (4th, 5th and 6th year): 50 percent
Next 01 year (7th year): 25 percent

Duration and rate of tax exemption for Chittagong, Dhaka, Comilla, Adamjee & Karnaphuli EPZ for the industries set up after January 01, 2012:

First 02 years (1st and 2nd year): 100 percent
Next 02 years (3rd and 4th year): 50 percent
Next 01 year (5th year): 25 percent

Non-Fiscal Incentives:

100% foreign ownership permissible
Enjoy MFN (most favored nation) status
Foreign Currency loan from abroad under direct automatic route
Full repatriation of capital & dividend
No ceiling on foreign and local investment
Non-resident Foreign Currency Deposit (NFCD) Account permitted
Operation of FC account by 'B' and 'C' type Industries allowed

Facilities:

10% sale to DTA (Domestic Tariff Area)
Accords Resident-ship and Citizenship
Back to Back L/C
Customs clearance at factory site
Import and Export on CM basis allowed
Import from DTA (Domestic Tariff Area)
Import on Documentary Acceptance (DA) basic allowed
No UD, IRC, ERC and renewal of Bond license
Off-Shore banking available
One Window same day service and simplified procedure
Relocation of foreign industries allowed
Secured and protected bonded area
Simplified sanction procedure
Sub-contracting with export oriented Industries inside and outside EPZ allowed
Work permits issued by BEPZA

Infrastructure:

Basic Infrastructure: Water, Electricity and Gas
Fully serviced plots available
Factory building available on rental basis
Enclave for workers Dormitory & Day Care Centre
Warehouse / Godown available

Support Services:

Business: Courier, Post office, Bank, C&F Agent, Shipping Agent, MTO etc.
Administrative: Customs Office, Police Station, In-house Security, Fire Station, Public Transport, Medical Centre etc.
Others: Restaurant, Health Club, Investors Club, Recreation Centre, School and College, Sports Complex, Exclusive Telephone Exchange, Electricity Sub Station, Business Centre, Anglers Club etc.

Off-Shore Banking Units:

Foreign investors do not have the opportunity of availing credit facilities from the Different Financial Institutions (DFI) of Bangladesh. In order to cater the need of financial support off-shore Banking facilities is being provided to the foreign owned / Joint venture unit in the EPZ’s of Bangladesh. Presently Foreign Banks in Bangladesh have licentiates for doing off-shore banking:

Citi N.A. Bank Ltd.
Commercial Bank of Ceylon
Dutch-Bangla Bank Ltd.
HSBC Ltd.
Standard Charter Bank Ltd.
State Bank of India
Woori Bank Ltd.

Apart from that local bank of Bangladesh also provide off-shore banking like:

AB Bank Limited
Bank Asia Ltd.
BRAC Bank Ltd.
Dhaka Bank Ltd.
Eastern Bank Ltd. (EBL).
IFIC Bank Limited
Islami Bank Bangladesh Ltd.
Jamuna Bank Ltd.
Mercantile Bank Ltd.
Mutual Trust Bank Ltd.
National Bank Ltd.
National Credit and Commerce (NCC) Bank Ltd.
One Bank Ltd.
Prime Bank Ltd.
Pubali Bank Ltd.
Shahjalal Islami Bank Ltd.
South-East Bank Ltd.
Standard Bank Ltd.
The City Bank Ltd.
The Premier Bank Ltd.
Trust Bank Limited
United Commercial Bank Ltd.

More local banks in the pipe-line to get off-shore Banking license from the central bank of Bangladesh. For more information’s please visit the official website of BEPZA.

Thanks,

Related:
Government Owned Economic Zones List from BEZA