The Rajshahi Textile Mill, which has been closed for 22 years, is going to restart its journey as 'Barendra Rajshahi Textile Limited' in Rajshahi at the initiative of PRAN-RFL Group, country's leading business conglomerate. PRAN-RFL is going to launch this mill under private-public partnership (PPP) with Bangladesh Textile Mill Corporation (BTMC). Currently, productions of the factory have begun on test basis while it will be inaugurated officially very soon.
PRAN-RFL wants to turn this factory, which is about 26 acres in area, into the largest environment-friendly industrial enterprise in the North Bengal. The factory will be 100% export-oriented. Various bags, shoes and ready-made garments will be manufactured here. In addition, a modern call centre will be established. An investment plan of about Tk 350 crore has been taken to provide employment to 12,000 people within two years.
Kamruzzaman Kamal, Marketing Director at PRAN-RFL Group, said this at a 'Meet the Press' event organized on the occasion of launching the mill at a hotel in Rajshahi on Monday.
PRAN-RFL took over the responsibility of the factory in December after signing the agreement in October last year. Within three months of taking charge, PRAN-RFL has begun trial production at the factory. Full-scale operations are expected to start within the next two years.
Addressing the occasion, Kamruzzaman Kamal said, "We have to come out of the Dhaka-centric perspective for the sake of overall development of the country. That is why we have started this large industrial project in North Bengal. Through this, thousands of people of Rajshahi will get employment opportunities and the local economy will be benefitted through this initiative."
He further said, "This factory will be a fully sustainable green industrial park, which will have solar energy, green zones and water recycling systems. The factory will be 100% export-oriented."
Anisur Rahman, Executive Director of Multi-line Industries Limited, a sister concern of PRAN-RFL Group, said, “In the meantime, we have repaired the abandoned shed in the factory and started a small-scale manufacturing of shoes and bags, where about 1,000 people from the Rajshahi region have been given employment opportunities.
In addition, the process of hiring another 1,000 people is underway.” He also said, a 'Skill Development Center' will be set up to enhance the skill of local workers. One of the objectives of this investment is to curb the trend towards the capital by utilizing the labor market of Rajshahi. We are optimistic that if this project is successful, we will be able to move forward with larger investments and expansion in the Rajshahi region in the future."
Currently, PRAN-RFL Group has two factories in Rajshahi - Barendra Industrial Park and PRAN Agro Limited - where about 1,200 people have been employed.
Touhiduzzaman, Deputy General Manager (Public Relations) of PRAN-RFL Group, Sharif Uddin Ahmed, Assistant General Manager of Barendra Rajshahi Textile Limited Factory and senior officials of the group, were present at the event.