The government has undertaken a plan to revive operations of closed state-owned jute mills by leasing them out to private management, Textiles and Jute Minister Khandakar Abdul Muktadir said before the Jatiya Sangsad on Sunday.
Responding to a written question from BNP lawmaker Md Ashraf Uddin (Narsingdi-5), the Minister told that the government has already completed the leasing process of 14 mills.
"Currently, these leased mills employ around 7,500 workers, who produce approximately 120 metric tonnes of jute goods daily." The leasing process for six more mills is underway,” he said.
He also mentioned that this initiative includes three jute mills located in the Narsingdi district under the Bangladesh Jute Mills Corporation (BJMC).
Bangladesh Jute Mills Ltd and UMC Jute Mills Ltd have already leased out under private management.
The Minister further said that Bangladesh Jute Mills Ltd is producing around 40 metric tonnes of jute goods daily, while UMC Jute Mills Ltd is producing sweaters.
“Together, these two mills currently employ about 3,600 workers.” “The leasing process for the remaining mill, Cooperative Jute Mills Ltd, is underway,” the minister added.
