Satkhira BSCIC Estate now a grazing ground

Cattle grazing inside Satkhira BSCIC Industrial Estate. Lack of entrepreneurs' interest, other factors behind failure of the Tk 3 cr project. PHOTO: STAR

In 1985, the estate was set up on 15.75 acres of land at a cost of over Tk 3 crore at Benerpota village on Satkhira-Khulna highway. But no significant number of industrial units were built here even after 19 years of its establishment.

Lack of entrepreneurs' interest, complication in obtaining bank loan, unplanned earth development work, lack of raw materials, drainage system, frequent power failure, market price of the products have been identified as the major causes of failure of the project.

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A senior official of the estate told The Daily Star the industrial town has 96 plots. The plots are divided into A, B and special categories. Initially, BSCIC allotted 50 plots to entrepreneurs and 23 units went into production.

But now only nine small industries are running here. Fourteen industries were closed down due to continuous loss incurred by the owners. The running industries are Chingri Bangla Hatchery, Ichamati Hatchery, Pacts Hatchery, Raj Enterprise (fuel made from husk grains), Dhaka Foods Bakery, Grihini Mashalla (Spices), Bhai-Bhai Plastics, Satkhira Concrete, Bangladesh Fish Feed and Chemical.

Besides, Satkhira Slaughter, United Hatchery and Koreshi Enterprise are expected to go into operation within a short time.

On contact, Ashrafuzzaman Ashu, Vice President of Satkhira Chamber of Commerce and Industries said it is hard to cope with uneven competition due to availability of smuggled Indian goods in local markets.

On contact, BSCIC Deputy Director Sayed Hasanuzzaman told this corespondent that BSCIC has launched various programmes to create interest so that entrepreneurs come forward for setting up industrial units.

However, some businessmen in the town said there is a bright prospect of establishing industries like salt mills, rice mills, shrimp processing, jelly, tannery, food processing, fish mills, cold storage, flour mills, vegetable cold storage, poultry firm, zinc fertilizer, cane and bamboo based industries, here.

Meanwhile, the BSCIC authorities prepared a list of 10 items which can be produced by women labourers. BSCIC will supply raw materials and offer market facilities for this items. The item included food item, jute based handicraft, timber product, sweet from honey, bamboo basket, toys, crockeries etc.

While talking to this correspondent, Dr. Aftabuzzaman a renowned businessman of Satkhira said he plans to set up a processing plan in the BSCIC industrial town.

At least 2,500 job opportunities would be created if industrial units are grown here in a planned manner.