Published: 12:33 AM, 26 February 2026
PM orders reopening of 397 closed industrial establishments
Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has instructed the authorities to take initiatives to reopen the country’s ailing and closed industrial establishments in partnership with private entrepreneurs. Prime Minister’s Additional Press Secretary Atikur Rahman Ruman said on Tuesday, “The PM has directed the relevant ministries to take steps to reopen the ailing and closed industrial units.”
According to information presented in parliament in June 2024 during the tenure of the previous Awami League government, the number of closed industrial units under the Ministry of Industries stood at 397 at that time. Over the past two years, this number has increased further. However, no updated statistics have yet been published by the government. Details regarding how private entrepreneurs will be involved in the initiative, as well as the nature of ownership or partnership, have not yet been finalised. Reopening ailing and closed industrial units to create employment is an election pledge of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party. According to the prime minister’s directive, closed and ailing jute mills and sugar mills must be reopened by retaining former workers and creating new employment opportunities.
Executive Chairman of the Bangladesh Investment Development Authority (BIDA) Ashik Chowdhury said, “PM Tarique Rahman has instructed the creation of new employment opportunities. He has directed initiatives to reopen closed and ailing industrial factories.
A committee led by the Ministry of Industries has begun working on this matter.”
