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Bangladesh SEZ Directory 2020: Status of 100 SEZs and Occupancy Guide

Bangladesh SEZ Directory 2020 Overview

Since its establishment in 2015, the Bangladesh Economic Zones Authority (BEZA) has been driving the development of special economic zones (SEZs) nationwide. By 2020, 97 zones had been approved, and 10 zones—including Mirsarai (Bangladesh's largest, 30,000 acres), Mongla, Abdul Monem, and Meghna—were either operational or open for occupancy. This article summarizes each zone's location, infrastructure, resident companies, and incentives.

97
Approved Zones
Under BEZA
10
Operational/Open
As of 2020
60,000+ acres
Total Area
Nationwide distribution
100+
Resident Firms
Foreign and domestic mix

Key SEZs

Mirsarai SEZ near Chittagong remains the largest at 30,000 acres and receives infrastructure support from JICA. Mongla SEZ is a western gateway with strong access to India, while Abdul Monem EZ is located near Dhaka, making it advantageous for domestic market access.

Comparison of Key SEZs
ZoneLocationAreaProfileOccupancy
MirsaraiNorthern Chittagong30,000 acresJICA-backed largest zone20+ firms
MonglaKhulna205 acresWestern hub, India access15+ firms
Abdul MonemNear Dhaka221 acresEasy domestic access, private development30+ firms
MeghnaNarayanganj110 acresDense industrial cluster near Dhaka25+ firms
JamalpurJamalpur1,150 acresNorthern gatewayPilot phase
SrihattaSylhet352 acresEastern zone, tea-focused industriesStarting occupancy
Korean EPZBEZA-designated500 acresKorean-dedicated zone under discussionUnder negotiation

SEZ Incentive Package

BEZA SEZs offer strong incentives compared with ordinary regions. A 10-year corporate tax holiday, 100% customs exemption for raw materials and machinery, full remittance of profits to the home country, and allowance for up to 20% foreign staff are central to the package.

Fiscal Incentives
Corporate Tax10 years exempt + 5 years 50% reduction
Customs100% exemption on raw materials and machinery
VATZero within the zone for in-zone transactions
Dividend TaxExempt (within first 3 years after investment)
Operational Incentives
Profit RepatriationFull repatriation permitted
Foreign EmploymentUp to 20% allowed
One-Stop ProcessIntegrated BEZA permits and approvals
Rental RateUSD 0.5-2/sq ft/year

Zone Selection Guide

Korean firms should select zones based on target sector, logistics requirements, talent access, and infrastructure readiness. Export-oriented projects are best suited to Mirsarai (near Chittagong), domestic-market-focused projects to Abdul Monem or Meghna (near Dhaka), and India-oriented supply strategies to Mongla.

01
Export Manufacturing
Mirsarai SEZ — 2 hours from Chittagong airport, large land parcels, JICA-supported infrastructure
02
Domestic & Services
Abdul Monem · Meghna — about 30 minutes from Dhaka, strong domestic demand access, ample workforce
03
India Market Access
Mongla SEZ — close to the India border, improved connectivity after Padma Bridge opening
04
IT & R&D
BHTPA Kaliakair — IT-focused zone, adjacent to NDC, knowledge-industry orientation
Investment Sector
Manufacturing, services, IT
↓
Zone Selection
Location, infrastructure, and cost
↓
BEZA Application
OSS portal, 30-day process
↓
Site Entry & Operation
Licensing, construction, and production setup
Investment Guide 2020FDI procedures, incentives, and risk management
Juldha Industrial AreaDetailed project flow for SEZ entry
SEZ DirectoryBEZABangladesh2020Industrial Zones
Bangladesh SEZ Directory 2020: Status of 100 SEZs and Occupancy Guide | Dhaka Trade Portal