Cottage industries now turned into medium and large ones

• The entire country has now become a productive region with the inauguration of the Padma Bridge

• BSCIC activities are going on to strengthen the backbone of the national economy

• Direct communication will be established with India, Bhutan and Nepal by the opening of Padma Bridge

Shamsul Basunia/ GR Parvez

Small and cottage industries are gradually transforming into medium and large scale industries.

The development project that the father of the nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman once undertook for the welfare of the large population of the country is taking shape today. These projects are going ahead to improve the fortunes of marginal farmers. The industry that was once known as cottage and small scale industries is evolving into a large scale industry with the passage of time only as a result of the activities of the Bangladesh Small and Cottage Industries Corporation.

The biggest thing is that due to the inauguration of the Padma Bridge, the 21 districts of the South-Western region in particular and the entire country in general is now becoming productive regions. BSCIC Chairman Mr Mahbubar Rahman said this in an exclusive interview to the Daily Tribunal. He said, Bangladesh is in the new horizon of economic development. In the 51-year journey of victory, the father of the nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman’s dream of Sonar Bangla is moving forward at a great speed.

Just as an independent country was placed on the world map under the leadership of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman in 1971, in the same way, a prosperous Bangladesh is being created under the leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s unthinkable talent, unwavering confidence and self-confidence, and the successful implementation of impossible and courageous activities.

At least 10 projects are currently underway in BSCIC. We are moving forward with the target of 100 projects. BSCIC Chairman Muhammad Mahbubar Rahman said that this activity is going on for the overall development of the industry and to strengthen the backbone of the national economy. The text of Mr Mahbubar Rahman’s interview is published here for the interest of the readers.

Daily Tribunal: 14 projects were taken up in the financial year 2021-22 in view to develop. So far 4 projects have been implemented. What is the progress of the remaining 10 projects?

Mahbubar Rahman: The remaining 10 projects are in progress. These are: BSCIC Chemical Industrial Park at Munshiganj, BSCIC Industrial City at Barishal, BSCIC Industrial City at Bhairab, BSCIC Multi Sectoral Industrial Park at Dhamrai, BSCIC Industrial Park at Belabo in Narsingdi, BSCIC Agricultural Product Processing Industrial Park at Bogura, BSCIC Agar Industrial Development Project at Moulbibazar, BSCIC Industrial Park at Madhupur in Tangail, BSCIC Industrial Park at Madaripur. Industrial City Expansion and Jashore BSCIC Foundry, Automobile and Engineering Industrial Park is on progress. Besides, several other industrial parks have been brought under the plan. These are: BSCIC Multi-Purpose Complex in Chattogram, BSCIC Project in Khulna, BSCIC Leather Industrial Park in Cumilla, Khadi Development and Proliferation Project in Cumilla, BSCIC Industrial Park in Shibchar, Madaripur, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Salt Research and Training Institute in Dhaka, BSCIC Leather Engineering Industrial Park in Rajshahi, Mymensingh. BSCIC Industrial Park and Bhaluka Industrial Park in Trishal, Beekeeping Development Project through application of modern technology, BSCIC Leather Engineering Industrial Park in Rajshahi, BSCIC Industrial Park in Magura, BSCIC Industrial Park in Nagarkanda, Faridpur, Sandwip BSCIC Industrial Park in Chittagong, BSCIC Industrial Park in Jajira in Shariatpur, BSCIC Industrial Park in Nasirnagar in Brahmanbaria, BSCIC Multipurpose Commercial Complex in Motijheel of the capital, BSCIC multi-storied training institute at Uttara in Dhaka is progressing.

Daily Tribunal: Is the industrial city under BSCIC managed jointly with the industrial city managed by BEPZA or not?

Mahbubar Rahman: The industrial establishments of the two institutions are being managed properly by the two authorities. BSCIC has a separate plan to bring forward rural marginalized people or urban backward people. For this reason, the programs undertaken by BSCIC include: reconstruction and repair of infrastructure of industrial cities under Dhaka and Mymensingh, renovation of BSCIC industrial cities in Rajshahi and Rangpur divisions, renovation of BSCIC industrial cities in Chattogram and Sylhet divisions, repair and renovation of industrial cities in Khulna and Barisal divisions, Chattogram, Rajshahi and Establishment of SKIT Regional Office in Khulna Division, and expansion of Jamalpur BSCIC industrial park.

Daily Tribunal: What steps have you taken to develop industry, create skilled human resources, create employment and alleviate poverty?

Mahbubar Rahman: BSCIC is creating skilled and trained manpower for the development of the industry. Products of all BSCIC industrial units are being brought on one platform to carry out integrated work. In order to make this product more popular among people, we are working hard. This will strengthen the spirit of competition among the producers which will strengthen the national economy. New employment will be created. The poverty situation of marginalized people will be reduced.

Daily Tribunal: How effective is the target of increasing economic growth by building new industries? What is the impact of the Padma Bridge on the national economy?

Mahbubar Rahman: The target of increasing economic growth through industrial establishments has been implemented 100%. We are continuously trying to contribute to the national economy of the country. Construction of the Padma Bridge will directly benefit 5 crore people across an area of about 44,000 sq km (17,000 sq mile) or 29% of the country’s total area. As a result of river management in the construction of this bridge, 9 thousand hectares of land worth 156 million dollars will be spared from river erosion. Direct communication between southern districts and different districts will increase labor mobility. More than 2 crore jobs will be created around this bridge. Inclusive development and financing of the country will accelerate and industrialization and urbanization will take place on both sides of the bridge at a massive rate, which will keep the economic wheels of the country moving.

Daily Tribunal: There are 80 industrial cities under BSCIC in the country. Tell the progress of the projects that were taken in the salt, leather and honey industry?

Mahbubar Rahman: Yes, you are right. There are 80 industrial cities under BSCIC. The projects undertaken in the salt, leather and honey industries have made considerable progress. Most of the projects are nearing completion.
Daily Tribunal: There are 80 industrial cities under BSCIC in the country. Tell the progress of the projects that were taken in the salt, leather and honey industry?
Mahbubar Rahman: Yes, you are right. There are 80 industrial cities under BSCIC. The projects undertaken in the salt, leather and honey industries have made considerable progress. Most of the projects are nearing completion.

Daily Tribunal: BSCIC has achieved 80% to 100% success in 37 project activities. How has success been achieved in loan assistance and capital investment?
Mahbubar Rahman: Success and achievement have been achieved through the combined efforts and efforts of all. Thus it has been possible to achieve 80% to 100% success in 37 BSCIC projects.

Daily Tribunal: BSCIC has Boishakhi Mela on its agenda. Is there any achievement in this fair? How far has the work of creating a confident and professional attitude progressed?
Mahbubar Rahman: The Boishakhi Mela certainly has unprecedented achievements. The biggest achievement is to develop confidence and professional attitude of BSCIC officers and members. We are using new tips and tricks in this field which can make morale of our manpower stronger.

Daily Tribunal: How much progress has been made in setting up environmentally friendly industrial parks and industrial cities?

Mahbubar Rahman: We are moving forward towards achieving 100% in establishing environment-friendly industrial parks and industrial cities. It has already been possible to achieve remarkable success in this regard. All should extend their hands of cooperation and support to achieve the desired goals.

Daily Tribunal: Is it possible to achieve the target with which the training institute of BSCIC started working?

Mahbubar Rahman: Yes. BSCIC training institutes have been able to achieve the target with which they started working to produce trained manpower. This process continues. And it continues in coming days.

Daily Tribunal: Tell us about the process of allotment of vacant/unutilized plots with a view to 100% utilization of industrial plots?

Mahbubur Rahman: The process of allotment of vacant/unutilized plots is progressing with the aim of 100% utilization of industrial plots. In this case, no irregularities are tolerated. BSCIC authorities have maintained special vigilance to ensure that the issue is effective at the grass root level as well.

Daily Tribunal: The spread of Covid-19 has an impact across the country. How did reading BSCIC cope with this effect?

Mahbubar Rahman: BSCIC has bravely faced the impact of the spread of Covid-19 on its field across the country. Taka 100 crore allocated by the Prime Minister is distributed fairly among the victims.

Daily Tribunal: How is recruitment of manpower for various vacancies in BSCIC? How many new people will be employed due to the expansion of the work area?

Mahbubar Rahman: Manpower is being appointed to vacant posts in accordance with government laws and regulations. As the work area expands, it will be filled in the same manner. A large number of people are employed in this sector. In future the prospects of employment are open.

Daily Tribunal: “Small industry is not small, it grows slowly” — How successful is this slogan of BSCIC?

Mahbubar Rahman: “Small scale industry is not small, it grows slowly” — this slogan of BSCIC has been successful to a large extent. Small and cottage industries are gradually transforming into large-scale industries. That is the real form of this slogan. Inauguration of Padma Bridge is a special day in the path of socio-economic development and a milestone of national self-esteem. This bridge is the result of visionary leader Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s infinite courage and strong leadership. The construction of the Padma Bridge has removed the country’s last major natural barrier and opened the door to an integrated and integrated economic development that will increase the country’s GDP by an estimated 1.2%. On the other hand, the GDP will increase by 1.0% if the rail service starts at Padma Bridge. Activity has been created in the southern part of the country centered on the Padma Bridge; an area of investment has been created which is already being observed. Moreover, the Padma Bridge will play an important role in inter-regional communication, especially in the context of the implementation of the Bangladesh-Bhutan-India-Nepal (BBIN) Motor Vehicle Agreement, the role of this bridge will be very important. Padma Bridge will become an important center of regional and sub-regional economic activities in the context of the implementation of projects such as establishing communication with Mongla and Payra ports, rail connectivity on both sides of the bridge, Trans-Asian highway and rail connectivity. As a result, direct communication will be established with India, Bhutan and Nepal. Exports to these countries will increase manifold. Industrialization will increase manifold in Faridpur, Shariatpur, Madaripur, Khulna, Jahsore and greater Barishal areas.