Industries Adviser Adilur Rahman Khan announced that efforts are underway to reopen the country’s closed sugar mills.
He made this statement while speaking to reporters after visiting the Setabganj Sugar Mill in Dinajpur on Saturday morning (November 16).
“All sugar mills in the country were shut down, but we are working to reopen them,” said Adilur Rahman Khan. He emphasised that reopening the mills alone is not enough—farmers must also be incentivised.
“We allocated Tk 120 crore earlier, and an additional Tk 100 crore is being prepared for allocation. Our aim is to restart the mills gradually, addressing the challenges step by step,” he added.
To assess the problems and opportunities, a task force has been formed, including representatives from sugarcane farmers and those directly involved in sugarcane cultivation.
The adviser noted that Setabganj Sugar Mill, in particular, has promising potential for resuming operations.
Responding to journalists’ questions, the adviser addressed concerns about encroachment on sugar mill land. “In response to demands from students and the public, the land will be reclaimed from grabbers as soon as possible,” he assured.
The meeting was attended by Senior Secretary of the Ministry of Industries Zakia Sultana, Chairman of Bangladesh Sugar and Food Industries Corporation Dr Lipika Bhadra, Dinajpur Deputy Commissioner Rafiqul Islam, Bochaganj Upazila Nirbahi Officer Maruf Hasan, and Managing Director of Setabganj Sugar Mill Abul Bashar, among others.