Govt to help set up white cement industries

State Minister for Industries Professor Rezaul Karim yesterday said the government will support entrepreneurs to establish white cement industries in the country.

He also said local industry will help reduce dependence on imported white cement.

The state minister was speaking at the launching ceremony of Birla White cement at a city hotel.

Nitol Cement Industries, a subsidiary of Nitol Group, is going to manufacture Birla White cement with the technical support of Birla White, a sister concern of Birla Group, India. Nitol Cement Industries is importing clinker, the main raw material of cement, from Birla White factory in India.

On the occasion, Nitol Group Chairman Matlub Ahmad said the quality of the cement will be maintained by Birla White. "Our aim is to fulfill local demand and then to export the white cement," Ahmad added.

Birla White Executive President SN Jajoo and Senior Vice-president (Marketing) BC Chattopadhyaya, Nitol Group Director Humayun Kabir Khandakar and Bangladesh Mosaic Merchants Association President Amir Hossain also spoke on the occasion.