Secretary of the Ministry of Industries Md Obaidur Rahman spoke at an annual review meeting with local salt mill owners, held at the conference room of the Cox's Bazar District Commissioner's office. Photo : BSS

COX'S BAZAR, Nov 11, 2025 (BSS) – Secretary of the Ministry of Industries Md Obaidur Rahman today said the government will not allow importing food salt under any pretext, emphasizing that the ministry will take strict measures against such attempts.

“Necessary initiatives will be undertaken to make the country self-sufficient  in salt production. This overarching goal includes the simultaneous protection of the rights of both marginal salt farmers and salt mill owners,” he said.

The secretary made the announcement during an annual review meeting with local salt mill owners, held at the conference room of the Cox's Bazar District Commissioner's office.

The meeting was jointly organized by the District Administration and Bangladesh Small and Cottage Industries Corporation (BSCIC) and was presided over by Deputy Commissioner Md. Abdul Mannan.

 Attendees included the BSCIC Chairman Md. Saiful Islam, Additional Deputy Commissioner Nizamuddin Ahmed, senior government officials, and leaders from the salt mill owners and marginal salt farmer associations.

Discussions during the review meeting focused on critical aspects of the industry, including the current salt stock, the determination of a fair price, problems faced by stakeholders, and the overall prospects of the salt industry.

Following the meeting, the Industries Secretary indicated that participants had offered various opinions on how to determine a fair price for salt at the field level. 

He assured attendees that the proposals raised by stakeholders will be reviewed at the senior government level to finalize arrangements for setting a fair price.

In a move to bolster industry infrastructure, Rahman also announced plans to establish a salt preservation warehouse in Cox's Bazar, provided that land can be acquired for the facility.

Md. Obaidur Rahman also addressed a pressing public safety issue related to the transportation of the commodity. 

He stated that action would be initiated, following discussions with relevant departments, to prevent accidents that frequently occur on the highways.

These accidents are caused by the slipperiness resulting from salt water spilling from vehicles transporting salt from Cox’s Bazar, he added.