Rajshahi Textile Mill reopens under Pran-RFL initiative

Rajshahi Textile Mill, closed for the past 22 years, is set to resume operations as "Barendra Rajshahi Textile Limited" under the initiative of Pran-RFL Group, one of the country's leading industrial conglomerates.

The mill is reopening under a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) with Bangladesh Textile Mills Corporation (BTMC). Trial production activities have already commenced, and the official inauguration will take place soon.

An investment plan of around Tk350 crore has been undertaken, targeting the creation of 12,000 jobs within two years.

Kamruzzaman Kamal, marketing director of Pran-RFL Group, shared the details yesterday at a 'Meet the Press' event organised at a hotel in Rajshahi.

Pran-RFL aims to transform the approximately 26-acre site into the largest environmentally friendly industrial establishment in North Bengal. 

The factory will produce various bags, shoes, and readymade garments, all for export. In addition, a modern call centre will be set up on the premises.

Following the signing of the agreement in October last year, Pran-RFL assumed responsibility for the factory in December. Trial production began within three months, and full-scale operations are expected within two years.

Speaking at the event, Kamruzzaman Kamal said, "We believe that to develop the country, we have to move away from a Dhaka-centric approach. That is why we have started this large industrial project in North Bengal. Through this, thousands of people in Rajshahi will get employment opportunities, and the local economy will become dynamic."

He added, "This factory will be a completely sustainable green industrial park, which will have solar energy, green zones, and water recycling systems. The factory will be 100% export-oriented."

Ahsan Khan Chowdhury, Chairman of the group said the company's primary objective is to create sustainable employment opportunities in the region. Although Rajshahi currently lacks a gas supply, it offers the advantage of an affordable workforce, he added.

"We plan to operate our factory using solar power as an alternative to conventional gas. Additionally, since a significant portion of our raw materials will be imported, the overall dependency on gas will remain minimal," he noted.

Anisur Rahman, executive director of Multi Line Industries Limited, an affiliate of Pran-RFL Group, stated that the abandoned single shed of the factory has already been renovated, and small-scale production of shoes and bags has begun.

Approximately one thousand people from the Rajshahi region have secured jobs, and the recruitment of another thousand workers is currently underway.

He also said, "A 'Skills Development Centre' will be established here to enhance the skills of local workers. One of the main objectives of this investment is to utilise Rajshahi's labour market and reduce the tendency to migrate towards the capital city. We are optimistic that if this project succeeds, we will be able to move towards further large-scale investment and expansion in the Rajshahi region in the future."

Currently, Pran-RFL Group operates two factories in the Rajshahi region — Barendra Industrial Park and Pran Agro Limited — employing around 1,200 people.

Deputy General Manager (Public Relations) of Pran-RFL Group Touhiduzzaman, Assistant General Manager of Barendra Rajshahi Textile Limited Sharif Uddin Ahmed, and other senior officials were present at the event.