Govt taking steps to reopen shut sugar mills: Adviser Adilur

Industries adviser Adilur Rahman Khan has said that many factories, particularly sugar mills, were shut down during the fascist regime, but the current government has taken initiatives to reopen them. He added that several mills have already resumed operations.

He made these remarks as chief guest on Friday, December 5, at the inauguration ceremony of the 88th sugarcane crushing season for 2025–26 at Carew and Company Limited in Darshana, Chuadanga. The new season was formally inaugurated by throwing sugarcane onto the carrier belt, amid a festive gathering, a discussion event, prayers and various formalities.

The event was presided over by Bangladesh Sugar and Food Industries Corporation chairman and additional secretary of the Ministry of Industries Rashidul Hasan. Special guest was Khulna Range DIG Md Rezaul Haque. Present at the event were Chuadanga deputy commissioner Mohammad Kamal Hossain, superintendent of police Mohammad Monirul Islam and senior administrative officials. Mill managing director Md Rabbik Hasan oversaw overall arrangements.

Answering questions from journalists, the adviser said the BMRE project concerning modernisation and replacement of machinery will begin soon. He said the inauguration was delayed due to pending preparatory work, but assured the project will commence shortly.

Adilur added that the government has adopted a realistic five-year roadmap to resolve the issues of sugarcane farmers, growers and seasonal workers, while increasing production. He said the government is committed to keeping mills functional, improving output, modernisation, protecting workers’ rights and safeguarding farmers’ interests.

Carew and Company mill has set a target of crushing 76,000 metric tonnes of sugarcane within 69 working days, aiming to produce 4,256 metric tonnes of sugar with a recovery rate of 5.06 percent this season. Last season, 71,235 metric tonnes of cane produced 3,685 metric tonnes of sugar.

Although the mill incurred a loss of Tk 62 crore in the 2024–25 financial year, its distillery unit made a profit of Tk 190 crore. As a result, the mill’s combined profit stood at Tk 129 crore, which authorities believe will support future planning and expansion.