Govt takes initiative to revive all ailing industries: BCIC Chairman

KAPTAI, RANGAMATI, Oct 10: The government has taken an initiative to revive struggling industrial enterprises across the country, including Karnaphuli Paper Mills Ltd (KPM) in Kaptai Upazila of the district, and restore them to profitability.

The plan includes attracting foreign investment and pursuing balancing, modernisation and rehabilitation (BMR), public-private partnerships (PPPs) and government-to-government (G2G) arrangements to restart operations.

Mohammad Babul Mia, chairman of the Bangladesh Chemical Industries Corporation (BCIC), disclosed the plan to journalists on Saturday after a meeting with heads of various departments at KPM’s guesthouse.

“KPM was once a profitable company with a strong reputation. We have drawn up plans to resume production at the mill,” he said.

The meeting was chaired by KPM Managing Director Shahid Ullah and attended by Kaptai Upazila Nirbahi Officer Raihanul Islam, former Kaptai Upazila Parishad chairman Dildar Hossain, senior KPM officials, local police representatives, labour union leaders and other factory officials.

Mohammad Babul Mia visited the mill and inspected various facilities at around 3 pm.

Officials and stakeholders hope the proposed revival will restore momentum to the mill’s operations and contribute to local economic activity and employment.