Three more fertiliser factories to be set up, says PM
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina offers prayers after inaugurating a 150MW power plant in Kumargaon of Sylhet city yesterday.Photo: STAR
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina yesterday said the government has taken initiatives to set up three more fertiliser factories in the country to meet the growing demand for the agri-input. The prime minister made the disclosure while laying the foundation stone of Shahjalal Fertiliser Factory in Fenchuganj. Once completed, she said, this factory would help reduce the import of around six lakh tonnes of urea fertiliser a year. The annual production target for the Shahjalal Fertiliser Factory has been fixed at 5.81 lakh tonnes. Hasina said there are currently six factories in the country, most of which are old and their production capacity has fallen. “That's why a total of 15-20 lakh tonnes of fertilisers are imported a year to meet the demand, spending huge foreign currencies,” she said. The construction cost of the factory has been fixed at Tk 5,409 crore of which Tk 3,986 will come from Chinese government. The construction works is expected to be completed by the next 38 months. The Bangladesh government signed a framework agreement with China during Hasina's visit to Beijing in March 2010. State-run Bangladesh Chemical Industries Corporation (BCIC) is implementing the project. Hasina alleged that the previous BNP-Jamaat alliance government closed down a large number of mills and factories, including the Adamjee Jute Mills and eight BCIC factories. After assuming office, Hasina said, the present government has taken steps to reopen the mills and factories. She mentioned that Chittagong Chemical Industries, Khulna People's Jute Mills, and Qaumi Jute Mills in Sirajganj have already resumed production. Chaired by Industries Minister Dilip Barua, the function was addressed by Finance Minister AMA Muhith, PM's adviser Tawfiq-e-Elahi Chowdhury, local MP Mahmudus Samad Chowdhury and Chinese Ambassador Li JUN. The prime minister also inaugurated the commissioning of the Sylhet 150MW power plant at Kumargaon and the second unit of 90MW Fenchuganj combined cycle power plant. Meanwhile, Hasina offered fateha at the mazars of Hazrat Shahjalal (RA) and Hazrat Shah Paran (RA). She also prayed for the continued peace, progress of the nation and the welfare of the countrymen. Later, she inaugurated the Nagar Bhaban on the premises of Sylhet City Corporation, divisional passport and visa offices, and laid the foundation stone of Sylhet Education Board.
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