Govt to revive industry, stabilise markets, build strategic reserves: Muktadir
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Commerce, Industries, and Textiles & Jute Minister Khandaker Abdul Muktadir on Monday said the government is advancing a coordinated action plan to revive industry, stabilise markets, and secure supplies of essential commodities, with reopening sick and shuttered factories a top priority to boost output and jobs.
He made the remarks while briefing reporters after the fourth session of the second day of the Deputy Commissioners’ (DC) Conference at the Osmani Memorial Auditorium in the capital. A joint session between DCs and the ministries of commerce, industries, and textiles & jute was held earlier.
Around 50 closed and ailing textile and jute mills are being handed over to the private sector in phases, the minister said, expecting the process to be completed within a year.
“This will attract fresh investment, raise production, and create significant employment,” he added.
Citing field-level inputs, he said DCs proposed reviving industries, setting up new industrial zones, reopening closed sugar mills, and establishing distilleries to boost exports—proposals the government will review.
Highlighting structural reforms, Muktadir said an AI-based supply chain monitoring system is in the pipeline to narrow the price gap from producers to retailers. “It will track imports, stocks, wholesale and retail stages to ensure transparency and accountability,” he said.
To cushion global volatility, the government is building strategic reserves for import-dependent commodities to prevent shortages and keep prices stable, he added.
On the Trading Corporation of Bangladesh (TCB), the minister said an advisory council with public- and private-sector experts will be formed to make market interventions more effective and targeted.
Ahead of Eid-ul-Azha, he said a special plan is in place to preserve rawhides, including training for mosque and madrasa stakeholders via district and upazila administrations, government salt supply, awareness campaigns, and regulated hide transportation for seven days after Eid.
Calling for a more proactive role by DCs, he said the administration and the elected government will work together to keep supply chains running and protect consumers.
State Minister for Textiles and Jute Md. Shariful Alam and secretaries of the relevant ministries were present at the briefing.