Govt helping reopen 42 closed units in EPZs: PM

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has said the government now stretches
its hand of assistance to reopen 42 closed industrial units and
the ones that are on the verge of closure in the export processing
zones (EPZs). "We are giving assistance including loan rescheduling
in easy instalment so that the closed industrial units are reopened
and the weak ones survive,"she said during an question-answer hour
in parliament yesterday. Hasina pointed out that the industries were
closed because of weakness in their management, labour unrest and
decrease in exports on global economic recession. Describing the
EPZs' present rules and regulations as conducive to investment, the
prime minister informed the parliament that the number of industrial
units now in operation under the jurisdiction of the Bangladesh
Export Processing Zones Authority (Bepza) is 304. "There is no need
to relax the rules and regulations further," she affirmed. The
premier, however, made an assurance that any specific proposal to
raise investment and production will be considered. Replying to
queries, Hasina, also the leader of the House, said the government
will take measures to ensure fair price of different farm products.
"Monitoring will be strengthened in future so that farmers get fair
prices of rice and paddy," the premier said, adding that agri- inputs
for farmers at a cheaper rate will be ensured.