2,000 units closed in N-region in 7 yrs

These industries were members of Rajshahi unit of National Association of Small and Cottage Industries of Bangladesh (NASCIB).

Several lakh workers and employees of these industries became unemployed, NASCIB sources said.

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Bangladeshi goods cannot compete with cheaper Indian goods in the market. Goods are now stockpiled in many other industries, which are facing closure, they said.

The industries closed include electric fan factory, garments factory, automatic rice mills, engineering workshop and printing press. These include about 300 industries in different BSCIC Estates.

Many of these industries were detected as 'sick' but did not get any government help despite repeated attempts, they said.

Some businessmen told this correspondent that banks do not cooperate with the entrepreneurs. They do not get bank loan even after repeated attempts. Bank loans are provided to big industries only, they alleged.