In a boost to local exports, wooden houses crafted in a remote village of Bagerhat will be shipped to Belgium, creating new avenues for foreign currency earnings and generating employment opportunities in the region. Constructed entirely from wood, including their framework, walls, doors, windows, and roofs, these boat-shaped houses are opening up new international markets. Mostafiz Ahmed, an entrepreneur behind Natural Fiber that is spearheading this initiative from Bagerhat’s BSCIC industrial city, believes that with government support, this venture could expand significantly. Earlier this year, a Belgian eco park placed an order for 120 eco-friendly wooden houses, made from sustainable materials. Mostafiz Ahmed shared with UNB’s Bagerhat correspondent that the order from the Belgian eco park is to be fulfilled within two years. The agreement stipulates that the houses must be made from local mahogany wood, with all materials being biodegradable. The wood is sourced from nearby areas, ensuring sustainability. A visit to Natural Fiber’s factory in the remote Karori village in Bagerhat revealed a bustling scene where workers were diligently constructing the wooden houses. Some workers focused on building doors and windows, others on assembling frames, and another group on crafting walls. The final step involves meticulous painting and polishing, resulting in aesthetically pleasing and environmentally friendly houses. The houses, initially constructed as single units measuring 11 meters in length and 4.25 meters in width, are then divided into smaller sections for easier transportation. These sections can be easily assembled at any location. Carpenter Mojahid explained that they received training before beginning the construction. After completing the design, the houses undergo approval by both the company and foreign representatives. The workers are now operating at full capacity, with each house taking about a week to complete, weather permitting. The project employs around 200 workers.  

Jamdani weavers are working round the clock at Noapara Jamdani palli in Rupganj upazila of Narayanganj to make new and fashionable Jamdani sarees with hope of good sale during Eid. Visiting the Jamdani palli, the correspondent found that weavers are working relentlessly spinning the yarn with hands. The workers are not getting a chance to rest. This busyness runs from 5 am to 10 pm every day. Sometimes the clock goes past 10 pm to 11pm or even 12 pm. Such busyness is going on almost every day as Eid-ul-Fitr is around the corner. Jamdani traders and BSCIC officials concerned expect a sale of Tk 150-160 crore on the occasion of Eid. According to official sources, there are 407 entrepreneurs in 407 plots in the area under BSCIC Jamdani industrial estate. They have total 1,665 looms and about 3,500 people have been employed here. They have to do all the work without machines.   Eid Shopping: Popular Bangladeshi Clothing Brands for Families Maidul Islam, who has been weaving sarees at Jamdani palli for 20-22 years, said that the work pressure has increased a lot due to upcoming Eid. “There is no opportunity to rest amid the pressure of work,” he added. Weaver Nadeem said, “I have been weaving Jamdani sarees for 17 years. On the occasion of the upcoming Eid, the work has increased like every year. We want the work to increase. If the work increases, it will be good for the owners, financiers and workers.” Shamim, a worker of Jamdani palli, said, “Earlier I used to come to the workplace at 9 am. Now I have to come at 5 am. Earlier I used to go home in the evening. Now I have to return home sometimes at 10 pm or 11 pm. Now the workload has increased.” Ruhul Amin, owner of Junaid Jamdani Weaving, said, "Our market is being destroyed due to Indian Jamdani. They weave jamdani by machine. They can sell at lower prices as their production costs are lower. But we can't. They can sell a saree for Tk 2000. But we need yarns of Tk 2000 to weave a Jamdani saree. We cannot sell a saree below Tk 5000.” "Earlier we used to sell 100 sarees every month, but now our sales have reduced to half because of Indian sarees," he added. Shah Alam, son of a Jamdani artisan family, said, “Now I see that Jamdani is sold online. But many people don't know about Jamdani saree. India's machine-made sarees are being sold as  Jamdani. Actually those are not Jamdani sarees. If you want to buy original Jamdani sarees, you have to come to BSCIC.", “Our Jamdani sarees are being exported. We are weaving new sarees  targeting Eid. Now if you come to the palli, you will get a good saree,”he added. How to Identify an Authentic Bangladeshi Jamdani Saree? Zahirul Islam, officer of Rupganj Jamdani Industrial City, said that there are all kinds of entrepreneurs here. Some sell more and some less. “It can be assumed that those who have 15-20 looms will sell sarees worth Tk 1-1.5 crore during Eid-ul-Fitr. And those who have fewer looms will sell a little less. We are expecting total sales of Tk 150-160 crore this year in Jamdani Industrial Estate,” he said.

Eco-friendly wooden bicycle, manufactured in Bagerhat’s BSCIC Industrial area, has garnered significant attention through generating employment and opening new markets, particularly in Europe. Wood, renowned for its versatility, is now prominently featured in making the environment-friendly 'Baby Balance Bikes,' capturing foreign buyer’s interest. Already 20,000 wooden bicycles have been exported to Greece in the first phase. Produced by the 'Natural Fiber' company in Bagerhat’s BSCIC Industrial City, these eye-catching bicycles are complemented by a range of eco-friendly furniture items including hotel beds, sun beds, pet toys, catering to global demand. Jashore flower growers eye Tk 70 cr sale in the month of language, Falgun, Valentine’s Day Sources said Natural Fiber started its production in BSCIC Industrial City in 2005. At the beginning, various coir products including mattresses, coir felt, coco peat, disposable slippers were made with coconut shell. Natural Fiber transitioned to wooden bicycles and other wooden goods in 2023, sparking international interest.

Training on 'Quality control, quality assurance system and lab test procedures for salt iodization' for the officials of Bangladesh Small and Cottage Industries Corporation (BSCIC) is going at Cox`s Bazar. The training started on Friday (February 16, 2024) will end on Tuesday in two phrases. Read more: Industries Minister invites SMEs to invest in BSCIC facilities This training was jointly organized by Salt cell, BSCIC and Institute of Food Science and Technology (IFST) of Bangladesh Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (BCSIR). Chairman of Sanjay Kumar Bhowmik inaugurated the training. Habibur Rahman Bhuiyan director of IFST, BCSIR presided over this training while Akil Ranjan Tarofder, GM of Extension division in BSCIC, Sarawor Hossain AGM of Extension division and Head of Salt Cell, BSCIC and , officials of IFST, BCSIR and Nutrition International were present. Read more: 12 types of salt used in cooking, baking and seasoning

Industries Minister Nurul Majid Mahmud Humayun has invited businesses, especially SMEs, to invest in unused plots in the BSCIC - Bangladesh Small and Cottage Industries Corporation - industrial areas across the country. The minister made the invitation during a meeting with the Board of Directors of Dhaka Chamber of Commerce & Industry (DCCI) led by its President Ashraf Ahmed at his ministry office on Monday. Over 3,000 industrial factories set up in BSCIC estates since 2009: Industries Minister   He said that in the context of existing global and regional geo-economic volatility, industries have to concentrate on formulating proper plans to best utilize our internal resources. Recognizing SMEs as a lifeline of the economy, the industries minister - one of just said the government will continue conducting necessary training, skill development activities, market expansion and utilization of technology. He also said that inflation control and to stabilize the local market in the upcoming Ramadan season is the most important priority now and the government is vigorously working on it. For this, he requested the business community to help the government by all means. Industries minister says sugar shortage 'artificial,' blames traders' hoarding Dhaka Chamber President Ashraf Ahmed expressed DCCI’s willingness to work in support of all the initiatives of the Ministry of Industries to the maximum possible.  He also expressed his keen interest to work on Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) issues, and productivity enhancement initiatives i.e. national productivity-related issues with modern technology adaptation to be more competitive both in the local and international markets. He also stressed the need to support various new industries, including through fiscal measures like export incentives, customs bonds, etc. He later urged for the expansion of BSCIC industrial area for the expansion of industrialization in the country. Stock of urea fertilizer sufficient: Industries Minister DCCI Senior Vice President Malik Talha Ismail Bari, Vice President Md. Junaed Ibna Ali, members of the board of DCCI, DG of DPDT Md. Munim Hassan, DG of NPO Md. Mesbahul Alam, Additional Secretary of Ministry of Industries Md. Anwarul Alam were also present during the meeting.

The four-lane road construction on Comilla-Sylhet highway has caused waterlogging inside the Bangladesh Small and Cottage Industries Corporation (BSCIC) industrial park in Brahmanbaria. The canal along BSCIC park in Nandanpur area of the Sadar upazila has recently been filled due to the road construction. For this, the factories in the park have no place to drain the wastewater. Thirty of the 68 factories in the park are now under water, said the factory owners. READ: BSCIC reopened 715 industrial factories in 13 years, Industries Minister tells parliament Factories including Abdul Monem Limited, Munni Soap, Ma-Mani Soap, Alam Chemical, Subarna Ice Cream, Babul Chira Mill, Bhai Bhai Mudir Mill, Kasem Metal, Ratan Food, Rahima Love Well, Jabed Metal, Bhai Bhai, Mannan Chemical and Apon Major Flower Mill are waterlogged. Besides, officials and employees are suffering too as the park premises went underwater.   The factories couldn’t resume work for the last five days, owners claimed. Md. Zakir Hossain, owner of Suvarna Ice Cream factory, said that the canal was used for draining wastewater since the park was established in the 90s. "We have talked to the authority for building a drainage system. It’s not possible for us to do it as it’s a government run park," he said. Khandaker Golam Mostafa, director of the four-lane project, told reporters that part of the canal area was owned by the Roads and Highways Division. "BSCIC has no place here. BSCIC authorities will have to decide where they will dump the wastewater. They have also been asked to make their own arrangements for this. We will provide necessary assistance," he said.

Industries Minister Nurul Majid Mahmud Humayun on Sunday told Parliament that Bangladesh Small and Cottage Industries Corporation (BSCIC) reopened 715 industrial factories in the last 13 years. “Some 715 closed industrial factories were recommenced by BSCIC from 2009 to 2022,” he said replying to a starred question from Awami League MP Mozaffar Hossain (Jamalpur-5). Besides, Bangladesh Steel and Engineering Corporation (BSEC) restarted its industrial firm Dhaka Steel Works Limited (DSWL) at Tongi in Gazipur on July 5, 2018, said the Minister. Read:JS passes bill to check boiler-related accidents, ensure safety in industries He said a feasibility study for modernization of the DSWL was completed on June 30, 2021. With Speaker Dr Shirin Sharmin Chaudhury in the chair, the question-answer session was tabled at parliament. In reply to another starred question from ruling party MP Habibur Rahman (Bogura-5), the industries minister said BSCIC has taken initiative to set up agriculture-based industrial estates or parks in five districts – Thakurgaon, Rangpur, Bogura, Meherpur and Tangail. The proposed industrial estates or parks are BSCIC Food Processing Industrial Estate in Thakurgaon, BSCIC Madhupur Industrial Park (for processing agro goods including pineapple) in Tangail, BSCIC North Regional Agricultural Goods Processing Industrial Park in Bogura, BSCIC Agricultural Processing Industrial Estate in Rangpur and BSCIC Agricultural Goods Processing Industrial Park in Meherpur.        There are now 79 BSCIC industrial estates across the country, Nurul Majid said responding to a  question from Jatiya Party MP Rustum Ali Faraji (Pirojpur-3). Read:Overhead electricity cables to go underground in major cities: Nasrul Hamid Responding to another question from AL MP Ali Azam (Bhola-2), the industries minister said there are 15 state-owned sugar mills in the country. But only one mill -- Carew & Co BD Ltd-- is a profitable one and the remaining 14 mills can’t make profit, said Nurul Majid. Among the 14 mills, threshing of sugarcanes in six mills (in Panchagarh, Setabganj, Shyampur, Rangpur, Pabna and Kushtia) has remained suspended since 2020-21 season, he said.

Bangladesh Small and Cottage Industries Corporation (BSCIC), an organization of the Ministry of Industries, has won the Gold Trophy as Best Reserved Stall in the reserved stall category in the 26th Dhaka International Trade Fair. The trophy was awarded at the fair in recognition of BSCIC's eye-catching and attractive stall fair as well as the quality of products and services displayed in the stall, said Md. Mahbubor Rahman, Chairman of BSCIC. The BSCIC stall has been used to promote BSIC activities and services including branding activities of Geographical Indication (GI) products and some traditional products of Bangladesh and to provide industrial registration (spot registration) to the entrepreneurs, he said. There were arrangements to sell and display the honey produced by the Beekeeping Center at BSCIC stalls at a fixed price under the BSCIC beekeeping program. READ: BSCIC to introduce one-stop services  Winning this trophy will further accelerate BSCIC's activities in the development of cottage, micro, small and medium (CMSME) industries in the country, said the chairman. In the next session of the fair, BSCIC will take initiatives to provide a wider range of facilities to the CMSME entrepreneurs for the promotion, dissemination and marketing of their products, he said.

Bangladesh Small and Cottage Industries Corporation (BSCIC) on Monday (April 12, 2021) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Business Automation Ltd to introduce one-stop services.Addressing the agreement signing event, BSCIC Chairman Mostaque Hassan hoped that the one-stop services can be introduced within this month.Describing the one-stop service as a milestone for BSCIC, he said if it can be introduced, it will help BSCIC to render quality services to entrepreneurs. Also read: BSCIC urged to take leading role towards realising Vision 2041 BSCIC Secretary Mofidul Islam and Director of Business Automation Soyeb Ahmed Masud inked the MoU on behalf of their respective sides at BSCIC Board Room.Once the one-stop services are introduced, micro, small, cottage and medium entrepreneurs will be able to avail all sorts of services including trade license, registration of land, environmental clearance, approval for construction and utility connections from a single place.Currently, there are 79 BSCIC industrial estates in the country. Besides, BSCIC has a master plan to construct 50 more industrial estates in a total of 20 acres of land in the country by 2030. Also read: BSCIC Fair underway in NetrakonaSo, the one-stop services will play a significant role in attracting local and foreign investment in the industrial estates, said a press release.    Earlier, BSCIC, an organisation under the Industries Ministry, was incorporated in the One-Stop Service Act, 2018 for attracting investors from home and abroad.Bangladesh Investment Development Authority (BIDA), Bangladesh Economic Zone Authority (BEZA), Bangladesh Export Processing Zone Authority (BEPZA) and Bangladesh Hi-Tech Park Authority are also there in the One-Stop Service Act. Also read: BSCIC, Oikko Foundation to jointly work for online marketing of products

Women entrepreneurs will be provided with plots in the Bangladesh Small and Cottage Industries Corporation (BSCIC) on priority basis, said Industries Minister Nurul Majid Mahmud Humayun on Sunday.