State Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change Shaikh Faridul Islam. File photo

DHAKA, Sept 5, 2026 (BSS) — State Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change Shaikh Faridul Islam today visited PRAN-RFL Group’s Barendra Rajshahi Textile Mill at Naodapara here and inspected its bag and luggage production units.

The state minister arrived at the factory on Saturday afternoon, where Rahat Hossain Rony, Chief Operating Officer (Footwear & Luggage) of PRAN-RFL Group, and Sharif Uddin Ahmad, Head of Administration of the factory, welcomed him, said a press release here.

During the visit, Shaikh Faridul Islam toured different sections of the factory and observed the ongoing production activities.

He praised PRAN-RFL Group for reopening the long-closed state-owned mill under the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) framework and turning it into an environment-friendly and export-oriented industrial facility.

The state minister also appreciated the initiative for creating employment opportunities within a short period and stressed the need for ensuring environment-friendly production systems in such factories.

“Under the direction of the Prime Minister, the government has taken initiatives to reopen closed mills and create employment opportunities. It is important to ensure environment-friendly production systems in these factories. PRAN-RFL Group is playing an important role in this regard,” he said.

Rahat Hossain Rony briefed the state minister about the factory’s activities and said PRAN-RFL Group took over the facility in December 2024 and resumed production in February 2025 after completing renovation work within three months.

Currently, more than 2,500 people are employed in bag and luggage production at the factory, he said. More production lines will be introduced gradually, creating employment opportunities for around 12,000 people, he added.

He also informed the state minister that bags and luggage produced at the factory are being exported to various countries in the United States and Europe.

He said the factory is gradually being transformed into a fully export-oriented green industrial park, with initiatives underway including waterbody conservation, tree plantation and installation of solar power systems.

Officials from the local administration and senior officials of PRAN-RFL Group were present during the visit.