Big cos start investing in Rajshahi BSCIC estate

RAJSHAHI, Oct 22 (BSS): Some of the country's big companies have started investing in the industrial estate of Bangladesh Small and Cottage Industries Corporation (BSCIC) in Rajshahi metropolis. Early in the current year, Abul Khair Group and Nitol Group have taken plot allocation and started their production. Destiny Group has also shown its interest for investing here. Many other significant groups of companies are in the pipeline. According to the officials concerned, the sick and laid off industries are being replaced with the new viable enterprises. Transferring process of the existing infrastructures of Shahi Fabrics and Shah Mukhdum Silk Industries, which remained inoperative for long, is on the final stage. "The sick industry owners will either restart their businesses or transfer possession of their units," said Mominul Islam, estate officer of the BSCIC, adding that creation of new estates became necessary to meet the local demand. He said more than 100 units of BSCIC were declared sick and laid off about 18 to 20 years back but the number at present came down to almost zero level because of the rising trend in production and marketing of goods. Most of the industrial units have become profitable over the last couple of years as the local entrepreneurs have been showing keen interest in restarting the sick industries and operating their business successfully after transferring ownership. Some of them are also trying to get new plots to set up various other prospective industrial units. Moreover, 190 industrial units out of total 200 plots are making profit through their successful operation and 10 other units are waiting to go for production in the near future, He said.