North Bengal Paper Mills to resume production

North Bengal Paper Mills in Pabna plans to resume its production as a Chinese expert team has recently visited the mill that will make paper from jute mould.
The four-party alliance government shut the loss-making factory on November 14, 2002.
The jute ministry moved to resume the mill's production after transferring the stewardship of the mill from Bangladesh Chemical Industries Corporation to Bangladesh Jute Mill Corporation (BJMC).
Earlier, experts from 'China Yunnan Corporation' visited the mill a month ago and became satisfied about the possibility of reviving the plant.
Under the supervision of BJMC, a technical team of 'China Yunnan Corporation' engineers Tang Uin, Wang Young, Jian Bao Wei and Hawang Bi Gui visited the mill on September 16, 17 and 18 again and conducted the feasibility study of the mill, said Md Hossain Khan, general manager of Rajshahi Jute Mills.
"The team expressed their satisfaction to the jute minister on Sunday."
“Bangladesh Jute Mill Corporation gets the charge of the mill as the government shifted its operational responsibilities to the jute ministry last month," said Jute Secretary Md Ashraful Mokbul to The Daily Star.
“We expect the Chinese experts' report in 15 to 20 days as they were satisfied after visiting the mill,” the secretary said. The BJMC will take moves to start production after obtaining the report, he added.
In a primary study, it was learnt that the mill would run with the target of producing 20,000 tonnes jute mould annually, he said, adding that at least 40,000 tonnes of green jute would be needed for the purpose.
Bangladesh grows around 70 to 75 lakh bales of jute every year. But we can use just 60 lakh bales in our jute mills and for other jute products. The rest 10 to 15 lakh bales do not get a fair price.
"Since there is a ban on export, we have decided to use it so that the farmers are not deprived of good prices," said Mokbul.