Auto-cars to be made at Rajshahi BSCIC

RAJSHAHI, May 25 (BSS): Battery-driven auto car (automobile) will be manufactured at Rajshahi Bangladesh Small and Cottage Industries Corporation (BSCIC) Industrial estate by June 2016.
In this connection, a decision was taken in principle here Sunday.
Zinwa, BMG and KRW, car companies from South Korea, in association with Ena Group in Bangladesh will manufacture the car.
An 11-member delegation from the three companies visited the proposed factory site and held a meeting with the local businessmen and other concerned at the conference hall of Rajshahi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (RCCI) on the day.
Speaking on the occasion, Managing Director of Ena Group Engineer Enamul Haque, MP, said that manufacturing of auto-car is likely to start by June next year.
Improved Lithium battery will be added in the car. With providing charge in one time the car will run for at least 100 kilometres. The car will cost around US$18,000 equivalents to Bangladeshi currency Tk 1.20 million, he pointed out.
The manufactured cars will be exported to abroad. Mainly, the European markets will be given priority in this connection.
The foreign companies have taken decision to invest worth around $100 million in the new venture while the Ena group will provide all other requisite supports including staff and labour, Mr Haque told the journalists.
Engineer Enamul further said the initiative has been taken as part of establishing industries in the hitherto neglected Rajshahi, a potential place for industrialisation.
On commissioning of the factory, trade and business in Rajshahi will be expanded besides creating employment opportunities, he added.
Speaking on the occasion, President of RCCI Md Muniruzzaman termed the venture as laudable and called for more foreign investment in the region.
He said more foreign investment towards industrialisation, especially agriculture and its processing sector in the region has become an urgent need for making the sector more vibrant besides encouraging the growers.
He viewed if the investment were enhanced substantially the agricultural sector coupled with information and communication technology (ICT) sector will bring an unprecedented success for the region.
Quick implementation of the proposed Hi-tech Park in Rajshahi could be the effective means of flourishing the agro-based economy.
Referring to the existing statistics in various developed and developing countries, he said foreign investment is always supportive towards raising value labourers besides boosting their numbers.
He underscored the need for setting up of agro-processing industries to ensure maximum utilisation of agricultural products.
Establishment of agro-processing industries would encourage the farmers to grow more high valued products for their higher income. He termed the industrialisation as the most relevant indicator of the country's progress and prosperity.