RANGPUR, June 17, 2021 (BSS) – Commerce Minister Tipu Munshi has said massive development in the infrastructure and communication sectors will change the overall socio-economic condition of the northern region soon.
“The northern region is not lagging behind in the continuity of development. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has a special vision for the region. Soon everything will change,” he said.
The minister was talking to local reporters after exchanging views with leaders of the District Warehouse Owners’ Association at a cold storage in Nabdiganj area in Rangpur metropolis on Thursday afternoon.
Tipu said new land ports will be established at five points including Chilmari, Roumari and Rajibpur of Kurigram to enhance international trade and commerce with India and economic activities in the region.
“Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina is working ceaselessly to alleviate poverty of the people of the northern region through implementing massive development programmes,” he said.
He said talks and negotiations with China on the implementation of the Teesta Mega Plan have advanced a far and added that the government has already started works on the Teesta River.
“Industrial plants, mills and solar power plants would be set up in the upgraded area on both sides of the Teesta River through carrying out the Chinese-funded excavations at a cost of Taka 8,500 crore,” he said.
“Hopefully, implementation of the project work will begin this year after the budget session to change the economy of the region,” Tipu Munshi said.
“We are thinking about the use of huge amounts of sand on both sides of the Teesta during excavation of the river. It is being considered whether it is possible to make concrete bricks mixed with sand-cement instead of bricks with that sand,” he said.
“That is why the Teesta sand will be tested. This will lead to the possible expansion of the concrete brick construction industry in the country,” he said.
Earlier, Tipu Munshi told leaders of the District Warehouse Owners’ Association that the government has taken steps to resolve the problems of potato traders, warehouse keepers and farmers.
“The Deputy Commissioners have been instructed to coordinate the issue of increasing the rents of storing potatoes in cold storages in consultations with all sides concerned to adjust the rents,” he said.