BSCIC looks to utilise 500 vacant plots

The Bangladesh Small and Cottage Industries Corporation (BSCIC) is scheduled to publish newspaper advertisements today, seeking applications from entrepreneurs to allot 500 plots lying vacant for years in its industrial estates.

According to BSCIC sources, a Gopalganj estate has the highest number of vacant plots (131), followed by one in Moulvibazar (119), Chuadanga (50), Jhalakathi (43), Barguna (40), Madaripur (38) and Khagrachari (33).

Though the BSCIC says the estates have all the necessary utility services in place, many in reality lack proper roads and security services, resulting in the lack of interest from entrepreneurs.

Some entrepreneurs seek to deviate from conditions set in allotments and abandon the plots when they are unable to do so, a BSCIC official said.

Gaurab Das, assistant general manager of the BSCIC's Gopalganj office, said their estate is comparatively new with the works being completed in December 2020.

Of 138 plots, seven have been allocated, he said.

He said though many entrepreneurs had not shown interest for the Covid crisis, a turnaround may come about once the notification is published as there were many more who had expressed genuine interest.

The BSCIC had published another advertisement on August 24, 2021 mentioning 913 vacant plots.

BSCIC Chairman Mahbubor Rahman said most of the vacant plots were in estates established between 2017 and 2019.

He too blamed the pandemic and similarly expressed hope on the notification bringing results in a month or two.

Benefits

Interested candidates have to apply with their respective district BSCIC offices within the next 45 days by paying 20 per cent of the value of the plot.

Entrepreneurs can either make a single payment of the remaining amount or pay it in 10 instalments over five years.

The plots will be allotted through a "district plot allocation committee". Each plot is leased out for 99 years.

A factory must be built within 18 months on getting the allotment.

The BSCIC was set up in 1960 to develop industrial plots equipped with utility connections and connectivity for small-and-medium enterprises (SMEs) to spur industrialisation.

According to the BSCIC website and annual report, today there are 10,897 plots in 76 industrial estates across the country.

There are 4,570 factories in production and 901 are export-oriented. They employ over 67 lakh people and have invested Tk 63,318 crore so far.

The factories focus on knitting and garments, poultry and food processing, Jamdani and hosiery, active pharmaceutical ingredients, light engineering and electrical products, plastics, printing and chemicals.