Govt takes up plan to attain self-sufficiency in cement

Industries Minister Tofail Ahmed yesterday informed the House that the government had taken up an extensive plan to attain self-sufficiency in cement production in view of massive development programme being implemented across the country, reports BSS.

Making a statement on a private member's resolution moved by Shamsur Rahman Sharif (Pabna-4) proposing setting up a cement factory in Ishwardi, the minister said that the country produce about 20 lakh metric tons of cement against a demand of 45 lakh metric tons per year.

He said except the Chhatak Cement factory, all other factoreis in the private sector are based on clinkers adding only 10 to 15 per cent value from clinker to cement production.

The industries minister said many foreign private investors had showed interest in setting up full fledged cement industries in Bangladesh based on limestone to be imported from India.

He said the Lafas-Surma cement factory is expected to go into production in 2003 in Sunamganj with production capacity of 12 lakh metric tons a year having an investment of 2.37 million US dollar.

The industries minister said another cement factory with production capacity of seven lakh metric tons will be established with foreign private investment under the sponsorship of Scan Cement of Europe.

He informed the house that a Swiss company has requested his ministry to participate in Chatak Cement factory as joint venture partner to expand the production capacity to 10 lakh metric tons.

The industries minister observed that with the opening of Bangabandhu Jamuna Bridge, the prospect of industrialisation of northern region has improved to a great extent. In this context, he informed the House that his ministry is examining possibilities of setting up of a fertilizer factory in the northern region.

Later, Shamsur Sharif withdrew his resolution which was approved by the House by voice votes.

Several members of house including Haji Mohammad Selim, Shahjahan Khan, Abul Kasem, Srimati Bharati Nandi Sarker, Mrs. Tohura Ali and Shaheen Monwara Hoq earlier moved amendments of the resolution which were rejected by the House.

Meanwhile, another private members resolution proposed by Mohammad Waji Uddin Khan (Pabna-3) and moved by Shamsur Rahman Sharif (Pabna-4) proposing the setting up a poultry firm in the government sector at Chatmohar thana sadar in Pabna district was also withdrawn and the withdrawal was approved by the House.

Making a brief statement on the resolution on behalf of the minister for fisheries and livestock, the Deputy Leader of the House and LGRD and Cooperative Minister Zillur Rahman told the House that a project has been taken to set up a government poultry firm at every thana headquarters is awaiting approval of the planning commission.

Members including Haji Mohammad Selim, Shahjahan Khan, ABM Abul Kasem, Srimati Bharati Nandi Sarkar, Mrs Tohura Ali and Shaheen Monwara Hoq moved amendments on the resolution, which were rejected by the house."