Dhaka: Industries Minister Khandakar Abdul Muktadir has announced that the government is focusing on extensive industrialization efforts to tackle unemployment in the country. ‘The government has taken extensive plans for industrialization under the Bangladesh Chemical Industries Corporation (BCIC) and Bangladesh Small and Cottage Industries Corporation (BSCIC) to create employment opportunities and accelerate development,’ he stated.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, the minister made these remarks while responding to a question from ruling party lawmaker Sarwar Jamal Nizam in parliament. He highlighted the government’s strategy to utilize unused government lands for industrial purposes. A Urea plant is planned on vacant land at Ghorashal Polash Fertilizer Public Limited Company, with a detailed techno-economic feasibility study currently underway.
A new TSP fertilizer factory with an annual production capacity of 400,000 metric tons is also on the cards for TSP Complex Limited, and the appointment of an international consultant for a detailed feasibility study is in progress. Furthermore, a project named Starch Factory and Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients (API) Complex is being developed at the premises of Khulna Newsprint Mills and Khulna Hardboard Mills, complete with feasibility and Development Project Proposal preparations.
The minister shared that plans are underway to establish a comprehensive paper mill along with forestry and multiple chemical plants at Karnaphuli Paper Mills. These include plants for soda ash, baking soda, sodium sulfate, activated bleaching earth, titanium dioxide, sulfuric acid, and synthetic/polyester fiber. Feasibility studies have been completed, and the DPP is being prepared.
Additionally, Muktadir revealed initiatives for chlor-alkali and chlorine-based basic chemical industries at the Chittagong Chemical Complex. A modern, energy-efficient insulator and sanitary ware plant is set to be developed at the Bangladesh Insulator and Sanitaryware Factory. A Woven Polypropylene bag manufacturing factory is also slated for the Ghorashal-Polash Fertilizer plant, while a new urea fertilizer factory is planned for the Bhola district, with site selection and feasibility studies ongoing.
The minister highlighted plans for a modern glass factory on 197 acres of unused land adjacent to the Ashuganj Fertilizer Factory, where a pre-feasibility study has already been completed. As for BSCIC, while it does not directly establish industries, it develops industrial estates and parks for entrepreneurs. Currently, there are 83 BSCIC industrial estates and parks housing 6,223 operational industrial units.
New industrial estates and parks will be established based on raw material availability, entrepreneur proposals, and feasibility studies, utilizing unused or fallow land through district administration. These efforts aim to create jobs and boost economic growth.
Minister Muktadir expressed optimism that these initiatives will significantly reduce unemployment, expand industrial production, and strengthen the country’s economic development.