Photo: BSS

DHAKA, July 9, 2026 (BSS) - Commerce, Industries and Textiles and Jute Minister Khandakar Abdul Muktadir today said the government will facilitate the private sector to encourage fresh investments and accelerate employment generation across the country.

"Government-run business entities often face operational limitations, while private entrepreneurs generally demonstrate greater efficiency in management and production. In this context, the government is encouraging private sector participation to ensure better utilization of state assets, expand industrial activities and create more jobs," he said.

The minister made the remarks while addressing as the chief guest an agreement signing ceremony at the conference room of the Ministry of Textiles and Jute at the Bangladesh Secretariat in the city.

On the occasion, a lease agreement was signed between the Bangladesh Jute Mills Corporation (BJMC) and Bangladesh Jute Alliance Limited for leasing 14.80 acres of land in Narsingdi.

State Minister for Textiles and Jute Md Shariful Alam said the government's objective is to ensure the maximum and effective use of state resources by attracting private investment to the closed BJMC mills and reviving industrial production.

He said 20 of the 25 closed BJMC mills were selected for leasing, of which 14 lease agreements have already been signed. 

Nine of the leased mills have resumed production, creating employment for around 9,500 people while producing nearly 160 metric tonnes of jute products daily, he added.

Shariful Alam said Bangladesh Jute Alliance Limited, which had earlier leased 34.50 acres of land and created employment for about 3,200 people, will now invest an additional Tk 1,050 crore under the new lease agreement.

The new investment is expected to generate annual production worth around Tk 3,000 crore and create employment opportunities for another 3,000 people, he added.

The state minister said such investments would play a significant role in accelerating industrialization, boosting exports and generating employment in line with the government's development goals.

Cabinet Secretary Dr Nasimul Gani, Finance Secretary Dr. Khairuzzaman Chowdhury and senior officials of the Ministry of Textiles and Jute were present at the event.