State minister hails PRAN-RFL’s green factory initiative

Shaikh Faridul Islam, state minister for environment, forest and climate change, visited PRAN-RFL Group’s Barendra Rajshahi Textile Mill in Naodapara, Rajshahi today.

Rahat Hossain Rony, chief operating officer (footwear and luggage) of PRAN-RFL Group, and Sharif Uddin Ahmad, head of administration of the factory, welcomed the state minister upon his arrival.

Tap here to add The Daily Star as a trusted source

During the visit, Faridul toured the bag and luggage production units, according to a press release.

He praised PRAN-RFL Group for transforming the long-closed state-owned mill into an environment-friendly, export-oriented industrial facility under the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) framework while creating jobs within a short period.

“Under the direction of the Prime Minister, the government has taken initiatives to reopen closed mills and create employment opportunities. It is important to ensure environment-friendly production systems in these factories. PRAN-RFL Group is playing an important role in this regard,” he said.

Rahat said PRAN-RFL Group took over the factory in December 2024 and resumed operations in February 2025 after completing renovation work within three months.

More than 2,500 people are currently employed in bag and luggage production at the factory. More production lines will be introduced gradually, creating jobs for around 12,000 people.

Bags and luggage produced at the facility are exported to various countries in the US and Europe. The factory is being transformed into a fully export-oriented green industrial park.

As part of the initiative, waterbody conservation, tree plantation and solar power installation are also underway.