PM directs steps to revive sick, closed industries
Staff Reporter :
Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has instructed the relevant authorities to take concrete measures—bringing in private entrepreneurs where possible—to reopen sick and closed industrial units across the country.
Confirming the directive on Tuesday, Prime Minister’s Additional Press Secretary Atikur Rahman Ruman said the prime minister has asked the concerned ministries to move forward with initiatives aimed at restarting non-operational industries.
He noted, however, that the modalities for private-sector participation—such as ownership structure or partnership arrangements—are yet to be finalised.
Reviving closed and ailing industrial establishments to generate employment was one of the key election commitments of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP).
In line with this pledge, the prime minister has specifically directed that sick and closed jute and sugar mills be brought back into operation, ensuring the reinstatement of former workers while also creating new job opportunities.
According to information placed before parliament in June 2024 during the previous Awami League government, a total of 397 industrial institutions under the Ministry of Industries were closed at that time. Of these, 382 sick or shuttered units were under the Bangladesh Small and Cottage Industries Corporation (BSCIC), five under the Bangladesh Chemical Industries Corporation (BCIC), six sugar mills under the Bangladesh Sugar and Food Industries Corporation (BSFIC), and four factories under the Bangladesh Steel and Engineering Corporation (BSEC).
Officials say the number of closed or sick industries has increased further over the past two years, although updated official statistics have yet to be published.
Meanwhile, Bangladesh Investment Development Authority (BIDA) Executive Chairman Chowdhury Ashik Mahmud Bin Harun said the prime minister has placed strong emphasis on job creation.
As part of that directive, he said, initiatives are already under way to reopen closed and sick factories, with a committee led by the Ministry of Industries currently working on the process.
