BSCIC seeks partners for industrial park venture

Bangladesh Small and Cottage Industries Corporation (BSCIC) is looking for private partners or a consortium of banks to go ahead with a massive industrial park venture.

The state-run agency for small enterprises has planned a Tk 210 crore "Shilpa Palli" to be set up on about 400 acres of land along Dhaka-Chittagong Highway at Gazaria, Munshiganj, 37 km southeast of Dhaka city.

"This is simply an idea we've floated... ...We need private sector or banks to come up to make it happen," BSCIC Chairman MA Mannan told UNB.

He said he had already talked to some banks informally and the response was good. Private-sector leaders also showed their interest in the plan, which is an imperative as expanding industrial/commercial ventures are spilling over into residential areas of the capital.

Since BSCIC is not entitled to negotiate loans of its own, it can act as a facilitator for private entrepreneurs to implement the plan for their own use, he added.

Even then, he said, BSCIC needs an approval from the Planning Commission, for which the Corporation would prepare a complete project concept paper and financing plan.

After getting approval, BSCIC, in partnership with private- sector people and commercial banks, will develop land and make industrial plots available to entrepreneurs with all facilities and utility connections, including gas, electricity, telecommunications, water and effluent treatment, within three years of beginning of the project.

BSCIC Chairman MA Mannan on January 13 presented the project proposal to Industries Minister MK Anwar in presence of leaders of various trade chambers and industrial associations.