PRAN-RFL, Hamco get leases for 3 jute mills

The government on Tuesday signed lease agreements with two private business groups to reopen three long-closed state-owned jute mills, involving an investment of around Tk 619 crore and an opportunity to create at least 11,629 jobs.

The agreements were signed between Bangladesh Jute Mills Corporation (BJMC), PRAN-RFL Group and HAMKO Group in the presence of Prime Minister Tarique Rahman at his office at the Secretariat, said PM’s Deputy Press Secretary Hasan Shiplu.

Under the agreements, PRAN-RFL Group will take over National Jute Mills Ltd in Sirajganj and Star Jute Mills Ltd in Khulna, while HAMKO Group will take over Platinum Jubilee Jute Mills Ltd in Khulna.

Commerce minister Khandaker Abdul Muktadir, state minister for textiles and jute Shariful Alam, textiles and jute ministry secretary Sharaf Uddin Ahmed Chowdhury, among others, attended the signing ceremony.

The companies expected to create at least 11,629 jobs and generate a combined annual turnover of about Tk 1,175 crore.

BJMC chairman Brigadier General Md Kabir Uddin Sikder signed the agreements on behalf of the corporation.

PRAN-RFL Group company secretary Aminur Rahman and Hamco Group managing director ATM Mostafa signed on behalf of their respective companies.

PRAN-RFL Group plans to invest about Tk 157 crore in National Jute Mills at Raipur in Sirajganj.

The mill is expected to create 5,238 jobs and generate an annual turnover of about Tk 500 crore once it resumes operations.