Govt moves to revive closed sugar mills: BSFIC Chairman

Bangladesh Sugar and Food Industries Corporation (BSFIC) Chairman Advocate Md Shamchuzzaman Suroj has said the government has taken initiatives to reopen closed state-owned sugar mills to boost production and create new employment opportunities.

"Under the directives of Prime Minister Tarique Rahman, no industrial establishment will be kept closed. 
Accordingly, steps are being taken to gradually reopen all closed government sugar mills," he said in an exclusive interview with Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha (BSS) at the BSFIC headquarters in the city recently.

The BSFIC chairman said six of the country's 15 state-owned sugar mills currently have suspended crushing operations.

However, sugarcane cultivation continues in the areas under these mills, he said, adding that the government is working to gradually bring the mills back into full-scale production while encouraging private entrepreneurs to participate through necessary investment.

"The Prime Minister's directive is to keep the wheels of all factories running. BSFIC is therefore working to attract new investment," Suroj said.

He said reopening the closed mills would create employment, increase production and accelerate economic activities in the surrounding areas.

Highlighting the social importance of the sugar mills, he said the facilities are not merely centres of sugar production but also provide livelihoods for millions of sugarcane farmers and play an important role in the rural economy and local social development.�"BSS