Bangladesh Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has asked the concerned ministries to begin steps to reopen closed and loss-making industrial units across the country, with priority given to restarting jute and sugar mills, Daily Observer reported.
The instruction was confirmed on Tuesday by Additional Press Secretary Atikur Rahman Rumon, who said the prime minister has directed ministries to work on bringing the sick and shuttered factories back into operation in partnership with private entrepreneurs. However, the exact structure of private sector involvement, including ownership or partnership terms, has not yet been decided.
The prime minister has also stressed that workers who were previously employed in these mills must be reinstated, while the revival process should create additional employment opportunities.
Figures presented in parliament in June 2024, during the tenure of the Awami League government, showed that 397 industrial establishments under the Industry Ministry were closed at the time. Of these, six sugar mills were under the Bangladesh Sugar and Food Industries Corporation.
Officials believe the number of closed factories may have increased over the past two years, although updated data has not yet been released.
Ashik Chowdhury, Executive Chairman of the Bangladesh Investment Development Authority, said the prime minister has called for initiatives to reopen the closed units and generate new employment. He added that a committee led by the Industry Ministry has started working on the matter.
