Adviser to the Ministry of Industries, Adilur Rahman Khan, on Friday said the government is exploring ways to make productive use of Karnaphuli Paper Mills (KPM) in view of Bangladesh’s overall economic landscape.
“We are considering how to make productive use of this mill. At the same time, we are evaluating whether its management should remain under private ownership or continue under government control,” he told journalists during a visit to KPM, a BCIC enterprise located in Chandraghona under Kaptai upazila of Rangamati.
Adilur said the visit aimed to assess the rationale behind the tests and inspections conducted on the mill in 2022.
“Our goal is to strengthen economic capacity quickly by utilizing the country’s existing industries,” he added.
However, he pointed out that due to the outdated machinery, expectations for productivity are currently low.
“Since there are financial implications, we are also considering practical steps to move forward. The country has high demand for paper, and we must reduce reliance on imports by increasing domestic production,” he said.
Highlighting KPM’s potential, he emphasized the importance of local raw materials: “The factory covers a vast area. To improve its production capacity, we need to reduce dependence on imported chemicals and increase local raw material usage.”
Earlier in the day, Adilur exchanged views with departmental officers at the KPM guest house.
