Two units of engineering corporation will go public: Minister

The government has planned to offload shares of at least two companies under Bangladesh Steel and Engineering Corporation into capital market within the next six months in a bid to boost the industrial sector.
“Our ministry has already taken necessary steps in this regard,” said Industries Minister Dilip Barua at a meeting with US Ambassador James F Moriarty at his office yesterday.
The minister said the government is working to build a strong private sector to help boost the industrial sector's growth.
“The government would provide necessary logistic supports and infrastructural facilities for the private sector,” he said.
The issues related to friendly work environment, coal-based power generation, investment in specialised industrial zones and setting up hi-tech industrial park came up for discussion.
The US envoy appreciated the government's Industrial Policy-2010 and hoped that industrialisation would get momentum if steps are taken in light of the new industrial policy.
He emphasised friendly relationship between workers and owners and suggested a tri-party communications and discussion among government, workers and owners to ensure better environment in the country's industrial units.
“Bangladesh can set up hi-tech industrial park for the development of industrial sector,” Moriarty said.
In response, Barua said the government is actively considering the issue of setting up coal-based power plants in Chittagong and Khulna to address the prevailing power crisis in industrial belts.
He said the government would ensure equal opportunities for domestic and foreign entrepreneurs apart from expatriate Bangladeshis in investing in the SEZs.
Industries Secretary KH Masud Siddiqui and high officials of the US Embassy in Dhaka were present in the meeting.