Bangladesh Export Processing Zones Authority (BEPZA) has assured the foreign investors at Export Processing Zones (EPZs) of providing adequate measures to ensure security in the zones and foreigners’ residence areas. The assurance was given at a meeting with the EPZs investors held at BEPZA Complex in the city yesterday. Against the backdrop of the recent terror attack in the Gulshan diplomatic area, BEPZA held the meeting to discuss about the security-related issue of the investors as well as the foreigners staying in the zone areas. A total of 60 investors from different EPZs attended the meeting and talked over their security issues of EPZs. “Regarding terrorist attack on Holey Artisan Bakery, the government has taken steps to combat militancy at any cost,” BEPZA Executive Chairman Major General Mohd Habibur Rahman Khan informed the investors. Besides, investigation is still underway to find out the masterminds behind this barbaric attack on the innocent people, he added. BEPZA will work jointly with investors to protect the zone safe and secure as well as residential areas where the foreign investors and expatriates are staying, said Habibur. He said: “Terrorism is not only our problem, it’s a global problem. We are working together to root out violence from the country.” He has, however, requested all the investors to be more watchful about the unknown persons and any suspicious activities around their surroundings. During the meeting, investors of the zones appreciated BEPZA for taking security measures. The initiatives so far taken by BEPZA include deployment of security forces in the zones, uses of modern technology, detective instruments like archway, metal detector, car checking mirror are being introduced at the gate of each zones, checking workers ID cards, 24-hour CCTV surveillance in the key points of zone and factory premises and 24-hours patrolling by BEPZA security. Besides, the BEPZA is also going to introduce a hotline in the EPZs as well as BEPZA for urgent communication on emergency security matters.
