‘Private sector making important contribution in development alongside government’

Bangladesh has been making rapid progress riding on private sectors' contribution alongside the government's efforts, said State Minister for Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Nasrul Hamid. 

Appreciating the private sector's contribution, Nasrul Hamid said, private sector is significantly contributing to the power generation with a production of 8,710 megawatt even without having a captive facility. 

The state minister said these while attending the Bashundhara Bitumen Plant's inaugural ceremony as the special guest on Saturday. 

The plant, a concern of Bashundhara Oil and Gas Company Ltd, was built on 65 acres of land in Pangaon area of South Keraniganj. 

Private sector has also been helping in creating employment opportunities in the country, said the state minister, adding that the sector has more to do to spread quality education. 

"The country is progressing consistently with the coordinated efforts and it is possible to succeed in every work if there is love for the people and the country," he added. 

Emphasising on producing quality goods, the state minister said, bitumen is one of the key ingredients required for constructing roads.  The longevity of a road depends on the quality of bitumen. 

Bashundhara launches largest bitumen plant in Bangladesh

Finance Minister AHM Mustafa Kamal who attended the event as the chief guest said, the roads have not been lasting long in absence of bitumen that suited to the country's weather. The Bashundhara Group's initiative will fulfill the country's demand. 

The finance minister also urged the group to establish such a company that will create employment for 3 lakh people. 

The inauguration programme was also attended by Bashundhara Group Vice Chairman Shafiat Sobhan Sanvir, Walid Sobhan and Professor Dr M Shamim Z Bosunia.  

Bashundhara Bitumen Plant, the first ever private venture in Bangladesh for bitumen production, plans to produce over 900,000 tonnes of bitumen and asphalt annually by 2021.

The plant has the capacity to produce bitumen grades such as Cutback, Emulsified, Oxidized and Polymer and customised ones as per client's required specifications.

Apart from this, fuel oil and some other byproducts produced in the plant will be sold or disposed off to appropriate clientele.

Bashundhara Group started its journey in 1987 through its real estate business. Now, the group is involved in over 30 businesses including producing cement, food and beverage, paper and pulp, tissue paper, LPG distribution.