BSS, Dhaka :
Industries Minister Amir Hossain Amu Saturday said Shahjalal Fertilizer Factory will go into production this year, which has a capacity of producing 5.80 lakh metric tons annually.
“Shipment of heavy machineries from Mongla Port was not possible due to navigability that slowed the pace of construction work. . .now, nearly 93 per cent work has been completed and the remaining work is expected to be completed by June,” he told a press conference at the office of his ministry.
The press conference was organized at the back-drop of the completion of one year of the Awami League led grand alliance government in its second term, where the minister highlighted various initiatives and success in the industrial sector.
About the relocation of the tannery industry to Savar from the capital, Amu said a total of 60 per cent construction of CETP in the Leather Industrial Park has been completed and the remaining work will be completed by June this year.
“A total of 152 tanneries among the allotted 155 tanneries have submitted lay-out plan so far, which has already been approved and 145 tanneries has started construction work at the allotted plots in line with the master plan,” he added.
The industries minister informed nearly Taka 1,673.88 crore has been invested in small and cottage industries across the country in last year in assistance of BSCIC.
Following the investment, a total of 89,375 jobs have been generated in small and cottage industry sector, of which 23,000 jobs are in BSCIC industrial parks.
At present, the private entrepreneurs have an investment of Taka 18,897 crore in 74 industrial parks across the country, which has produced the goods of Taka 42,509 crore last year and out of it, products of Taka 23,746 crore have been exported.
There would not be any crisis in fertilizer management in the ongoing Irri-Boro season, Amu said: “Last year when the government took charge, Irri-Boro season was going on in full-swing, but there was no problem in transporting, selling and distributing of fertilizer. . .so, I hope, no crisis would be created this year.”
Mentioning the highest ever salt production of 17.53 lakh metric tons in fiscal 2013-14 against the target of 15.80 lakh tons, the industry minister said: “the government has banned salt import in 2014 to provide the salt farmers with value assistance that has inspired the farmers.”
He also informed the government is going to announce Industry Policy soon with the view to attaining the goal of middle income country by 2021, which would require nearly 40 per cent contribution of the industrial sector to the national economy.
