Contribution of Uttara Export Processing Zone (EPZ) in creating jobs in Nilphamari and its adjacent areas has been marking a rise in recent years. In the year 2015-2016, the EPZ was able to employ a total of 7124 youths irrespective of male and female. Sources in the Bangladesh Export Processing Zones Authority (BEPZA) said in terms of creating jobs the Uttara EPZ is only next to the Karnafuli EPZ of Chittagong where 8306 persons were provided with employment during the 2015-16 fiscal year. The sources also said the size of foreign direct investment (FDI) in the EPZ was also notable as a total of USD 33.35 million was invested in Uttara EPZ during the period in the form FDI. The EPZ thus far has been able to rapidly change the fortune of many people in the region, which is traditionally known as the country’s poverty pocket where the intensity of labour in the traditional field of agriculture is very high. Observers said that the advancement of the EPZ would further contribute to the country’s Vision 2021. When contacted, Tanvir Hossain, General Manager of the Uttara EPZ, said more than 30000 workers are at present employed in the EPZ. He also said that 64 per cent of those employed in the EPZ are women. Enatur Rahim, a youth of Gomnati Union Parishad under Domar Upazila, said he remained unemployed for long since passing his secondary school certificate (SSC) examinations back in 2005. But, he said, this year he has been appointed in the Ventura Industries Ltd, an industrial unit of the Uttara EPZ. While narrating his success story, he said that he’s now happy to draw Tk 8000 every month as a worker. An elated Rahim also hoped that this opportunity would enable him to help his family financially as well as to build his own future.
