Chandpur:Nearly three decades after its establishment, the BSCIC Industrial Estate in Baburhat of Chandpur Sadar is still struggling to achieve significant development, with several factories remaining closed. The estate, established in 1998 after the initiative's launch in 1987, spans 10 acres beside the Chandpur-Cumilla regional highway and includes the district office of the Bangladesh Small and Cottage Industries Corporation (BSCIC).
According to United News of Bangladesh, local businesspeople and environmental activists attribute the estate's stagnation to a lack of effective initiatives and sustained development efforts. They also point to the absence of BSCIC offices at the upazila level in Chandpur district, which they say hinders small entrepreneurs' access to institutional support, loans, and other services.
The estate currently hosts 33 industrial units, with 27 operational and six closed, as stated by Md Shahriar Khan, the officer-in-charge of the district BSCIC office. Employees from operating factories reported that several businesses, including a juice factory, shut down after incurring losses, leading to unemployment for many workers.
Security and infrastructure issues plague the estate, with inadequate security measures, poor drainage, unreliable electricity, and insufficient lighting identified as significant challenges. The lack of a security gate, guards, or CCTV cameras leaves the premises vulnerable, particularly at night. A recent theft has been reported, and an investigation is underway by Chandpur Sadar Model Police Station.
Despite these challenges, some businesses continue to operate, providing employment to hundreds of people. At the Apollo and Monohorkhadi cold storage facilities, women laborers from marginalized backgrounds work alongside male workers, earning between Tk 100 to Tk 500 a day. A nearby garment factory and other facilities, such as a flour mill, rice mill, and a plastic waste recycling factory, also contribute to local employment.
Entrepreneurs face the additional challenge of traveling long distances to access BSCIC services, as there are no district offices in the eight upazilas. This journey can be particularly arduous for those from remote areas, such as the chars of Haimchar, who contend with difficult travel conditions.
The district BSCIC office itself suffers from staff shortages, with six key positions vacant, disrupting routine operations and limiting service provision to entrepreneurs. Businesspeople and concerned citizens advocate for improved infrastructure, security, and expanded BSCIC services to revive closed units and encourage new investment, enhancing the estate's potential for economic growth.