Commerce, Industries, Textiles and Jute Minister Khandakar Abdul Muktadir. File photo

DHAKA, Aug 8, 2026 (BSS) - Commerce, Industries, Textiles and Jute Minister Khandakar Abdul Muktadir said the government has planned to establish a new industrial park on around 400 acres of land in Bogura to meet the growing demand of small and medium enterprises (SMEs).

"The government will take initiatives to start the development work of the proposed industrial park during the current winter season," he said.

The minister was speaking as the chief guest at a programme today organised on the occasion of the assumption of office by the newly- elected board of directors of the Bogura Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

Muktadir said Bogura has the potential to emerge as one of the major industrial and economic hubs of the country, particularly as an important centre for the light engineering industry.

"The government is working to create the necessary infrastructure and a supportive environment to realise this potential," he said.

The minister said the existing BSCIC industrial estate in Bogura has already reached full capacity, while there is growing demand among SME entrepreneurs for establishing new industries, said a ministry press release.

"Considering the demand, a plan has been taken to establish a new BSCIC industrial park on around 400 acres of land. We will try to expedite the process and initiate the preliminary activities during this winter," he said.

He stressed the need for increasing productivity and reducing the cost of financing to enhance the competitiveness of industries.

"It is difficult to successfully operate industries and businesses by taking loans at high interest rates. To reduce production costs and make products competitive, we have to increase productivity and efficiency on the one hand and reduce the cost of financing on the other," he continued.

The minister said the government is working to ensure easy availability of energy and electricity for industrial entrepreneurs, simplify gas connections and create opportunities for financing at lower costs.

He said the proposed industrial park would not only provide infrastructure facilities to entrepreneurs but also arrange technical training, skilled manpower development and necessary information and technical support for setting up industries.

"Through these initiatives, we will work to make the newly established industries sustainable in the long run," he said.

Khandakar Abdul Muktadir also said entrepreneurs establishing industrial projects in the proposed park would have opportunities to obtain loans at comparatively lower interest rates under the government's credit wholesaling scheme.

He underscored the importance of developing skilled human resources and enhancing the capacity of entrepreneurs alongside industrialisation.

Road Transport and Bridges Minister Shaikh Rabiul Alam inaugurated the programme, while State Minister for Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives Mir Shahe Alam attended it as a special guest.

Bogura-6 MP Md Rezaul Karim Badsha, Bogura-5 MP Golam Mohammad Siraj, Bogura-4 MP Md Mosharraf Hossain, Bogura-7 MP Morshed Milton, Bogura-3 MP Md Abdul Mohit Talukdar, Deputy Commissioner Md Toufikur Rahman and Superintendent of Police Mirza Sayem Mahmud, among others, were present.

Bogura Chamber of Commerce and Industry President M S M Atikur Rahman Badal delivered the welcome address.

At the programme, the newly elected members of the chamber's board of directors were introduced.

Discussions were also held on their  responsibilities, future action plans and expanding services for the business community.

The speakers stressed making the chamber's activities more dynamic, transparent and business-friendly. The newly elected board expressed its commitment to protecting the interests of businesspeople, developing relevant sectors and further improving the quality of services.

Chamber leaders, business representatives, government officials and other stakeholders attended the programme.

Earlier, Commerce, Industries, Textiles and Jute Minister Khandakar Abdul Muktadir visited the proposed site of the industrial park at Fapore Union under Bogura Sadar upazila.