Govt announces Industry Policy soon: Amu

The government is going to announce Industry Policy soon with a 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.
Industries Minister Amir Hossain Amu said this while speaking at a press conference organised at his office in the city on Saturday on completion of one year of the Awami League-led government in its second term, reports BSS.
The minister also told the conference that Shahjalal Fertiliser Factory will go into production this year, which has a capacity of producing 0.58 million tonnes of fertiliser annually.
At the press conference, the minister highlighted various initiatives and success in the industrial sector achieved so far during the period.
"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 newsmen.
About the relocation of the tannery industry to Savar from the capital, the minister said a total of 60 per cent construction of Common Effluent Treatment Plant (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 told the conference that nearly Tk 16.74 billion has been invested in small and cottage industries across the country in last year in assistance of Bangladesh Small and Cottage Industries Corporation (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 Tk 188.97 billion in 74 industrial parks across the country, which has produced goods worth about Tk 425.09 billion last year and out of it, products of Tk 237.46 billion have been exported.
There would not be any crisis in fertiliser management in the ongoing Irri-Boro season, the minister 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 fertiliser. . .so, I hope, no crisis would be created this year."
Mentioning the highest ever salt production of 1.74 million tonnes in fiscal year (FY), 2013-14 against the target of 1.58 million 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."