United News of Bangladesh

The government has decided to organise roadshows soon to attract local and foreign investment in closed and loss-making state-owned factories as part of its efforts to revive idle industrial units and improve their performance. The decision was taken at a meeting on the operation and management of closed factories under the Ministry of Industries, said PM’s Deputy Press Secretary Hasan Shiplu. The meeting was held at the Prime Minister’s Office in the Bangladesh Secretariat on Thursday with Prime Minister Tarique Rahman in the chair. Shiplu said officials concerned were directed to complete the necessary preparations within this month for the planned roadshows. During the meeting, he said, senior officials of various organisations under the Ministry of Industries presented detailed reports on the current condition of closed and loss-making factories, outlining their challenges, prospects and possible solutions. Shiplu said the Prime Minister instructed the authorities concerned to identify effective ways to reopen closed factories as quickly as possible and turn loss-making units into profitable enterprises. He said Tarique Rahman also placed special emphasis on attracting both local and foreign investment to these industrial establishments. Officials informed the meeting that recommendations from an expert committee are being sought to help reopen the closed factories and improve the performance of those operating at a loss, the deputy press secretary added. Industries, Commerce, and Textiles and Jute Minister Khandakar Abdul Muqtadir, Prime Minister’s Adviser on Economy and Planning Rashed Al Mahmud Titumir, Executive Chairman of the Bangladesh Investment Development Authority Chowdhury Ashik Mahmud Bin Harun, better known as Ashik Chowdhury, Principal Secretary to the Prime Minister ABM Abdus Sattar and senior officials of the Ministry of Industries attended the meeting.