Govt to prioritise merit over relationships in jute, textiles investment decisions: Adviser Bashir

The government is set to prioritise merit and proposals over relationships when making investment decisions regarding the establishments under the Bangladesh Jute Mills Corporation (BJMC) and Bangladesh Textile Mills Corporation (BTMC), said Sk Bashir Uddin, adviser to the Ministry of Textiles and Jute and the Ministry of Commerce.

"In the last six months, three mills have already been handed over [to investors], with several more in the pipeline. Decisions are no longer based on relationships but on the merit and feasibility of investors' proposals," he said at a contract signing ceremony today (26 January) between BTMC and Western Engineering (Pvt) Ltd at the Pan Pacific Sonargaon Hotel in Dhaka.

"This approach will ensure these resources are utilised to benefit both individuals and the nation, contributing to economic growth and employment generation," he said.

The adviser highlighted the government's plan to hand over 45-50 mills and establishments under BJMC and BTMC to entrepreneurs through public-private partnerships (PPP) or lease agreements.

The event marked the signing of an agreement to operate Kurigram Textile Mill under a lease arrangement.