B Mirror Report: The government has announced plans to gradually reopen 50 closed jute and textile mills across the country within one year, said Commerce, Industry, and Textiles and Jute Minister Khondaker Abdul Muktadir.
He made the statement on Monday during the second day of the Deputy Commissioners (DC) Conference held at the Osmani Memorial Auditorium in Dhaka.
Officials said DCs from across the country presented proposals focusing on industrial revitalization, development of new industrial zones, and reopening of closed sugar mills. Discussions also included leasing and transferring around 50 sick and closed mills in the textiles and jute sector to the private sector in phases.
Speaking after the session, the minister said six mills would be reopened within this year as part of the plan, while full restoration of 50 mills would be completed within a year. Some mills have already been leased, and the remaining ones will be handed over to private investors soon. He added that the government would carefully review the DCs’ proposals.
He also said a strong advisory council would be formed to make the Trading Corporation of Bangladesh (TCB) more effective, including experts from both public and private sectors.
On market stability, the minister instructed DCs to strengthen monitoring to help control prices of essential commodities. He noted that coordination between the administration and elected government is being emphasized to ensure effective implementation of policies.
Highlighting structural issues in the market system, he pointed out the wide gap between farm-gate and retail prices, especially for agricultural products. He also said Bangladesh has lacked a coordinated market management system for decades.
To address this, the government plans to introduce a technology-driven solution using an AI-based model to monitor the entire supply chain from import to retail. The system will enable real-time market monitoring, he said.
The minister also announced plans to build strategic reserves of imported essential goods. “We aim to store items like oil and sugar for one to two months so that no group can create artificial shortages,” he added.
During the same conference, Water Resources Minister Shahid Uddin Chowdhury Annie warned that strict action would be taken against illegal occupation of canals. He said 20,000 kilometers of canal excavation work has been undertaken over the next five years, and cooperation from district administrations is essential.
He stressed that encroached canals, structures, or fish farms blocking water flow would be removed, and legal action would be taken against violators.
Road Transport and Bridges Minister Sheikh Robiul Alam called for stronger cooperation from DCs to improve discipline in the transport sector and ensure successful implementation of development projects.
Meanwhile, Civil Aviation and Tourism officials announced plans to establish a “Flying Academy” in Bogura alongside airport development, aiming to train new pilots, including students from underprivileged backgrounds.
Planning and Finance official Zunaid Abdur Rahim Saki criticized delays and repeated cost overruns in development projects, stressing that strict deadlines must be followed to ensure timely completion.
The DC Conference also emphasized improving administrative capacity, reducing inequality, and building a more inclusive economic system aligned with the government’s long-term development goals.
In the evening, DCs held a courtesy meeting with Speaker Hafiz Uddin Ahmed at the National Parliament complex, followed by a dinner.
