Dhaka:The 9th meeting of the Parliamentary Committee on Public Undertakings convened today at the Jatiya Sangsad (JS) Bhaban, chaired by Committee Chairman and JS Chief Whip Nurul Islam Moni. Members of the committee, including Whips Miah Nuruddin Ahmad Apu and Md Akhtaruzzaman Mia, among others, were present to discuss various issues affecting public sector industries.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, the meeting focused on the financial conditions, profits, and losses of organizations under the Bangladesh Steel and Engineering Corporation (BSEC), Bangladesh Sugar and Food Industries Corporation (BSFIC), and Bangladesh Small and Cottage Industries Corporation (BSCIC). Discussions included strategies for reopening closed industrial units and future development plans.
The committee recommended identifying the causes of financial losses in the enterprises under BSEC and called for effective institution-specific action plans to mitigate these losses. It also addressed the need to resolve ownership and legal complications of long-closed industrial units, ensure the proper utilization of unused land and assets, and explore possibilities for reopening these enterprises.
Furthermore, the meeting examined the expansion of operations at Pragati Industries Limited, with a view to manufacturing electric vehicles through joint investment, aligning with the government's electric vehicle policy. Members requested specific proposals and presentations on this subject for the next meeting.
The potential reopening of closed sugar mills under BSFIC was also discussed, emphasizing increased sugarcane production and encouraging cultivation among farmers. With domestic sugar production falling short of national demand, the committee stressed the importance of boosting sugar mill capacity and reducing import dependency.
After reviewing activities across 84 industrial estates under BSCIC, the committee directed the preparation of a detailed report to be presented at the next meeting, identifying reasons behind production suspensions or underperformance. Recommendations were made for corporations to address issues in closed and loss-making enterprises, enhance production capacity, consider joint investments, and ensure optimal use of state assets.
High-level attendees included the Additional Secretary of the Ministry of Industries, the Deputy Controller General of Accounts, chairmen of BSCIC, BSEC, and BSFIC, and officials from the Ministry of Industries and the Parliament Secretariat.