Three large state-owned jute mills, which had been shut down for a long time, are finally set to resume operations under private management. This will create new employment opportunities for approximately 11,629 people.
On Tuesday (August 11), a lease agreement was signed between Bangladesh Jute Mills Corporation (BJMC), Pran-RFL Group, and Hamko Group in the Cabinet Division conference room at the Secretariat, in the presence of Prime Minister Tareq Rahman.
According to the agreement, Pran-RFL Group has been awarded the lease for Jatiya Jute Mills Limited in Sirajganj and Star Jute Mills Limited in Khulna. Hamko Group will operate Platinum Jubilee Jute Mills Limited in Khulna.
Brigadier General Md. Kabir Uddin Sikder, Chairman of BJMC, signed the agreement on behalf of the corporation, while representatives from the respective leasing companies signed on their behalf. The Prime Minister’s Deputy Press Secretary, Hasan Shiplu, confirmed this information.
It is understood that private companies will invest approximately BDT 619 crore to resume production in these three factories. This investment is expected to generate a potential annual turnover of around BDT 1,175 crore.
An investment of BDT 157 crore in Jatiya Jute Mill in Raipura, Sirajganj, will create jobs for 5,238 people. Star Jute Mill in Dighelia, Khulna, will see an investment of BDT 250 crore, providing employment for another 5,238 workers. Meanwhile, Platinum Jubilee Jute Mill in Khalishpur, Khulna, will receive an investment of BDT 212 crore, generating 1,153 jobs.
During the signing ceremony, it was announced that the government has decided to lease 20 of BJMC’s 25 closed jute mills to private management. So far, the lease process for 14 mills has been completed, and full-scale production has already begun in 9 factories.
Also present at the event were Commerce, Industry, and Textiles and Jute Minister Khandaker Abdul Muktadir, State Minister for Textiles and Jute Shariful Alam, and other high-ranking officials.
