BCIC proposes 11 new ventures to restore profitability, create jobs
The proposals include setting up 8 new factories, as well as installing plants and expanding operations by using unutilised spaces at various factories
To revive its fortunes and create jobs, the Bangladesh Chemical Industries Corporation (BCIC) has proposed launching eleven new ventures, including a fertilizer factory in the island district of Bhola, a glass factory, and a basic chemicals plant.
The proposals include setting up 8 new factories, as well as installing plants and expanding operations by using unutilised spaces at various factories. Currently, BCIC oversees 18 government organisations, of which seven produce urea, DAP and TSP fertilizer. Some other factories had been shut down by the government due to persistent gas shortages.
The proposed new factories are: A urea–formaldehyde-85 plant on the vacant land of Jamuna Fertilizer Co. Ltd (JFCL); a TSP fertiliser plant at TSP Complex Ltd; a government fertiliser factory with 1,700 metric-tonne production capacity in Bhola; a starch factory and an active pharmaceutical ingredients (API) complex on the Khulna Newsprint Mills and Khulna Hard Board Mills premises; a chlorine-alkali and related basic chemical factory on the site of Chittagong Chemicals Complex; a modern plant at Bangladesh Insulator & Sanitaryware Factory; a special glass production plant at Usmania Glass Sheet Factory; a modern leather factory on the Dhaka Leather Co. premises; a WPP-bag manufacturing factory for fertiliser-packaging; and a new glass factory on 197 acres of land of Ashuganj Fertilizer & Chemical Co.
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These proposals were unveiled yesterday during the "Day-long Workshop to Turn BCIC into a Profitable Corporation," held at BCIC's headquarters. The workshop was inaugurated by Industries Secretary Md Obaidur Rahman and chaired by BCIC Chairman Md Fazlur Rahman. Industries Adviser Adilur Rahman Khan was scheduled to be present at the closing session.
At the workshop, BCIC's Director, Planning & Implementation (Additional Charge), Md Delwar Hossain, presented the detailed plans. He argued that new projects are essential to restore BCIC's profitability. He noted that expanding fertilizer production would reduce dependence on imports, conserve foreign currency, and generate employment.
Earlier, BCIC had outlined the main reasons for losses at its urea fertiliser plants: extended shutdowns due to gas shortages, poor maintenance of machinery, and failure to meet production targets.
As remedies, the corporation recommended ensuring uninterrupted gas supply at required pressure throughout the year, launching a rehabilitation programme for factories that have remained closed for nearly one and a half decades to avoid irreversible machinery damage, timely replacement of outdated machinery, and setting fertiliser sale prices in line with international market prices so that loan installments on the newly built Ghorasal–Polash urea fertiliser factory can be repaid.
