The New Nation - Internet Edition

Syful Islam

Establishment of two heavy industries in Bhola, an island district in southern part of the country, is underway as Khansons Group has expressed interest to the Board of Investment (BoI) of Tk 590 crore investment in MS rod and CR coil manufacturing sector.

Besides, the group has decided to establish a 20 to 22 megawatt power plant to run their factories.

Experts said, setting up of heavy industries in this island district will help proper utilisation of natural resources like gas.

Despite huge potentials no heavy industries have been set up in Bhola apart from some ice factories. Gas was found in Borhanuddin of Bhola in 1995 but this natural resource is yet to be utilised. This year gas was also found in the second well of Shahbajpur gas field.

Sources said establishment of gas based 34.5-megawatt power plant in Shahbajpur became uncertain for unknown reason. Supply of gas to households was scheduled after the setting up of the power plant but it is yet to get any shape.

On August 13 the Khansons Group proposed to the Board of Investment that they want to establish MS rod and CR coil factories in Bhola with an investment of Tk 590 crore. The group has an investment of Tk 600 crore in Barisal district.

Khansons Group Chairman AKM Azizur Rahman said discovery of two gas fields will help develop heavy industries on island district Bhola. He said, "We are thinking of establishing the two factories in Bhola this year. If the Government provides adequate facilities many investors will feel encouraged to invest there."

He said establishment of heavy industries in Bhola will be very expensive. "Especially the infrastructure and carrying of machineries and raw materials will be costlier than other to parts of the country," he said.

"We have urged the Government to provide some extra facilities to overcome the extra cost. We have asked for 10 years tax holiday, 20 years uninterrupted gas supply and special loan facilities," he said.

He said setting up of the two factories in Bhola will create employment opportunities for at least 4,000 workers.