Commerce, Industries and Textiles Minister Khandakar Abdul Muktadir said on Saturday that the government is planning to establish a new industrial park on around 400 acres of land in Bogura to meet the growing demand for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).

Development work on the proposed industrial park is expected to begin next winter, he said.

The minister made the remarks as the chief guest at a programme organised to mark the assumption of office by the newly elected board of directors of the Bogura Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Bogura. Road Transport and Bridges Minister Shaikh Rabiul Alam inaugurated the programme.

Khandakar Abdul Muktadir said Bogura has the potential to emerge as a major industrial and economic hub in the country, particularly as an important centre for the light engineering industry.

The government is working to develop the necessary infrastructure and create a supportive environment to tap into the district’s industrial potential, he said.

The minister said the existing BSCIC industrial estate in Bogura was already fully occupied, while there was strong demand among SME entrepreneurs for new industrial facilities.

“Considering this demand, a plan has been taken to establish a new BSCIC industrial park on around 400 acres of land. We will try to expedite the work and begin the initial activities next winter,” he said.

The minister stressed the need to increase productivity and reduce the cost of financing to enhance the competitiveness of industries.

“It is difficult to successfully operate industries and businesses by taking loans at high interest rates. To reduce production costs and make products competitive, we need to increase productivity and efficiency on the one hand and reduce financing costs on the other,” he said.

The government is also working to ensure easier access to fuel and electricity, simplify gas connections and create opportunities for low-cost financing for industrial entrepreneurs, he said.

The minister said, “The proposed industrial park will provide more than just infrastructure. It will also offer technical training, skilled workforce development, and necessary information and technical assistance for setting up industries.”

Entrepreneurs establishing industrial projects in the park will have access to comparatively low-interest loans under the government’s credit wholesaling scheme, he said.

He also stressed the importance of developing skilled human resources and strengthening entrepreneurs’ capacity alongside industrialisation.

Bogura-6 MP Md Rezaul Karim Badsha, Bogura-5 MP Golam Mohammad Siraj, Bogura-4 MP Md Mosharraf Hossain, Bogura-7 MP Morshed Milton, Bogura-3 MP Md Abdul Mohit Talukdar, Deputy Commissioner Md Toufiqur Rahman and Superintendent of Police Mirza Sayem Mahmud attended the event.

Bogura Chamber of Commerce and Industry President MSM Atikur Rahman Badal delivered the welcome speech.

Earlier, Minister Khandaker Abdul Muktadir visited the proposed industrial park site in Fapor Union of Bogura Sadar upazila.