Dhaka: The government has initiated a strategy to resume operations of closed state-owned jute mills by transitioning them to private management via leasing, as announced by Textiles and Jute Minister Khandakar Abdul Muktadir in the Jatiya Sangsad.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, in response to a query from BNP lawmaker Md Ashraf Uddin (Narsingdi-5), the Minister disclosed that the government has already finalized the leasing process for 14 jute mills. Presently, these mills employ approximately 7,500 workers and produce around 120 metric tons of jute goods daily. The leasing process for an additional six mills is currently in progress.
The Minister elaborated that three jute mills under the Bangladesh Jute Mills Corporation (BJMC) located in the Narsingdi district are part of this initiative. Of these, Bangladesh Jute Mills Ltd. and UMC Jute Mills Ltd. have already been leased out to private management. Bangladesh Jute Mills Ltd. is producing about 40 metric tons of jute goods daily, while UMC Jute Mills Ltd. has shifted its production to sweaters. Together, these two mills currently provide employment to around 3,600 workers.
Additionally, the Minister mentioned that the leasing process for the remaining mill, Cooperative Jute Mills Ltd., is underway.