The Bangladesh Chemical Industries Corporation (BCIC) has launched a major initiative to develop 10 commercial buildings on its unused land across the country in an effort to generate additional income and safeguard government properties from encroachment.

BCIC Chairman Fazlur Rahman said the Ministry of Industries has already approved the projects administratively, while the corporation is finalizing the tender process for the first phase of six developments with an estimated investment of Tk 718 crore.

According to BCIC officials, several corporation-owned properties had remained vulnerable to illegal occupation due to long periods of inactivity. Following the recovery of a number of encroached sites, the corporation decided to utilize the land through commercial development projects to ensure both protection and productive use of the assets.

The projects will be financed entirely from BCIC’s own funds.

Under the first phase, BCIC plans to construct a 13-storey commercial building at the former KPM Guest House site in Muradpur, Chattogram, at a cost of Tk 97 crore. A 17-storey building with three basement levels will be developed on Plot No. 6 in Agrabad, Chattogram, costing Tk 99 crore, while a 20-storey commercial building will be built in Nasirabad, Chattogram, with an estimated cost of Tk 187 crore.

In Sylhet, a 20-storey commercial building will be constructed on the former guest house site of Chhatak Cement Factory in Subidbazar at a cost of Tk 182 crore.

In Dhaka, BCIC will build a 10-storey commercial building on the northern side of its headquarters for Tk 57 crore and establish a convention hall in Mirpur Housing Colony at a cost of Tk 96 crore.

Officials said the Agrabad project is being processed under the Open Tendering Method (OTM) to ensure transparency and competitive participation.

Beyond the initial six projects, BCIC has also identified several additional sites for future development. These include a 20-storey building in Nalapara, more commercial structures in Pahartoli, Chattogram, a 15,000-tonne-capacity warehouse near the Kalurghat transit godown, a technical institute, and an extension building within the Mirpur Housing Colony area.

The tender process and technical implementation are being supervised by BCIC Chief Engineer (Civil) Chowdhury Abid Al Hasan.

The planned facilities will feature modern sanitary and plumbing systems, advanced water supply networks, electro-mechanical installations, and integrated fire safety and protection systems that meet contemporary commercial and industrial standards.

BCIC aims to begin construction work on September 1, 2026. While the overall development programme is expected to be completed within five years, the first phase is scheduled for completion by February 28, 2029.

The BCIC chairman has instructed project officials to strictly follow the government’s Public Procurement Rules (PPR) and all relevant legal requirements throughout the procurement and implementation process to ensure transparency, accountability, and effective use of public resources.