Three state-owned jute mills to reopen soon
Three long-closed state-owned jute mills are set to reopen under private management following lease agreements signed by the Bangladesh Jute Mills Corporation (BJMC). The agreements were signed today in the presence of Prime Minister Tarique Rahman between BJMC and PRAN-RFL Group and HAMCO Group.
Under the agreements, PRAN-RFL Group has taken National Jute Mills Ltd in Sirajganj and Star Jute Mills Ltd in Khulna on lease, while HAMCO Group has taken Platinum Jubilee Jute Mills Ltd in Khulna. BJMC Chairman Brigadier General Md Kabir Uddin Sikder signed the agreements on behalf of BJMC. Company Secretary Aminur Rahman signed on behalf of PRAN-RFL Group, while HAMCO Group Managing Director A T M Mostafa signed for his company.
The three mills will be reopened under private management with an estimated investment of around Tk 619 crore. Once operational, they are expected to create at least 11,629 jobs, while their combined annual turnover is projected at around Tk 1,175 crore. National Jute Mills in Raipur, Sirajganj, will receive an estimated investment of Tk 157 crore. The mill is expected to create 5,238 jobs and achieve an annual turnover of around Tk 500 crore after reopening.
Star Jute Mills in Dighalia, Khulna, will receive around Tk 250 crore in investment. It is also expected to create 5,238 jobs, with an annual turnover target of around Tk 500 crore. Meanwhile, around Tk 212 crore will be invested in Platinum Jubilee Jute Mills in Khalishpur, Khulna. The mill is expected to create at least 1,153 jobs, with a projected annual turnover of around Tk 175 crore.
At the signing ceremony, officials said that of the 25 BJMC-owned mills that have remained out of production, the government has decided to reopen 20 under private management through leasing arrangements. So far, leases for 14 mills have been completed and possession handed over to the leaseholders. Production has already resumed at nine of those mills.
Related government officials, BJMC representatives and dignitaries from the leaseholding companies were present at the ceremony.
