Khulna: The Bangladesh Cable Industry Limited (BCSL), a state-owned enterprise, has announced its plans to export fibre-optic cables to Nepal and several African countries by 2028. This development marks a significant milestone for the company, which has consistently generated profits since its inception over 15 years ago.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, BCSL reported a profit of Tk 31 crore in the last fiscal year (FY25), with total profits reaching Tk 148 crore over the past five years. The company began producing optical-fiber cables in 2010 and now supplies nearly 60% of the optical-fiber telecom copper cables used across Bangladesh, solidifying its position in the digital connectivity sector.
BCSL has also outlined a medium-term plan to meet the demands of both government and private institutions. This plan includes the installation of new machinery for producing High Density Polly (HDP) pipes, suitable for the country’s Water and Sewerage Authority (WASA), and the establishment of a local area network (LAN) cable plant by December 2026. Additionally, the company has a long-term goal to contribute to the power sector by December 2030.
Officials attribute the company’s success to strategic product diversification, continuous modernization of machinery, and planned expansion in response to market demands. BCSL aims to increase its annual production from 20,000 kilometers to 25,000 kilometers by installing three new machines at its optical fiber cable plant within the next five years. It also plans to boost production capacity at the HVPE telecom duct plant and the super enamel copper wire plant.
Furthermore, BCSL has committed to installing rooftop solar panels using its own funds by December next year. The company operates in Khulna’s Shiromoni, under the Ministry of Posts, Telecommunications, and Information Technology. Established with technical support from Siemens AG of West Germany, BCSL began commercial production in February 1972, following trial production after Bangladesh’s independence.
Continuous technological upgrades have enabled BCSL to remain competitive, unlike many other state-owned enterprises. The company employs a workforce of 33 officers, 163 staff members, and 125 outsourced workers. Quality control is ensured through rigorous testing by institutions such as BUET, KUET, CUET, and MIST.
The company relies heavily on imported raw materials, including copper rods from Australia, Korea, and Malaysia, aluminum rods from Malaysia, China, and India, as well as PDC and steel core wires from China and India. Despite the potential for growth in Bangladesh’s fibre optic cable industry, BCSL recognizes the need for modernization to keep pace with neighboring countries that are adopting more advanced cable-producing machinery.