Govt mulls reopening sick industries introducing modern equipment: PM

3850

SANGSAD BHABAN, Nov 13, 2019 (BSS) – Prime Minister and Leader of the House Sheikh Hasina today said the government is planning to reopen the country’s sick industries by installing modern technologies and equipment.

“There are some old and sick industries in the country, which could not be reopened despite taking various measures. And that’s why we have to take some alternative measures for these sick industries,” she told parliament while responding to a supplementary raised by lawmaker Anwar Hossain Khan (Laxmipur-1) during her question answer session.

Besides, the prime minister said, there are many industries, which have adequate spaces. “If we can introduce new industries and invest there, it would be quite possible to create employment opportunities and new entrepreneurs,” she added.

Sheikh Hasina said that is why the government is thinking how the sick industries could be reopened in alternative ways by introducing modern technologies and equipment. “…so we have to think alternative ways and take alternative measures,” she said.

Replying to a starred question from Anwar Hossain Khan, the premier said the role of industrial sector is very important in building a prosperous Bangladesh aiming to create employment opportunities for a large number educated youths of the country.

To ensure planned industrialisation, she said, the government has taken a plan to set up 100 economic zones in the country by 2030.

“Approvals have already been given to 88 economic zones. On April 3, 2019, I inaugurated development works of 13 economic zones and inaugurated 11 economic zones suitable for setting up industries,” she added.

Noting that employment opportunities would be created for about one crore people in these economic zones, Sheikh Hasina said in addition to this, it would be possible to produce and export goods and services worth US$ 40 billion from the economic zones.

Highlighting various initiatives taken by the present government to ensure industrialisation and create employment opportunities in the country, she said the government has already decided to import LNG to meet the country’s growing gas demand.

The prime minister said the supply of regasified LNG has already started to the national gas grid from a floating terminal of Excelerate Energy Limited and Summit LNG Terminal Limited. Around 500 million cubic metres of imported LNG have been supplied daily to power plants and industries, she added.

Construction of a land-based LNG terminal with capacity of 1000 million cubic metres is underway in Matarbari of Cox’s Bazar, she said.

Sheikh Hasina said work is underway to set up a shipbuilding industry in Barguna and build a dry dock near Payra Port.

The government has taken an initiative to install centrifugal machines, juice clarifiers and rotary vacuum filters in 13 sugar mills, she said, adding an initiative has also been taken to set up a fruit processing plant in Rajshahi Sugar Mill.

The premier said an environment-friendly leather industry was built on 200 acres of land at Hemayetpur in Savar.

At present, about 97 percent medicines of the country’s total demand is being produced locally, while 43 pharmaceutical companies are exporting medicines and raw materials to 92 countries, including the United Kingdom and the USA, she said.

Sheikh Hasina said the government has taken an initiative to set up an industrial park in Gazaria of Munshiganj aiming to expand the country’s pharmaceutical industry. “A total of 200 acres of land has already been acquired in this regard,” she added.