Photo: BSS

RAJSHAHI, June 25, 2025 (BSS) - A high-level delegation from Bangladesh Textile Mills Corporation (BTMC) visited the newly launched factories at Barendra Rajshahi Textile Mills Limited on Tuesday to observe the activities firsthand. 

PRAN-RFL Group, one of the country's leading business conglomerates, earlier this year re-launched the state-owned Rajshahi Textile Mills (RTM) as 'Barendra Rajshahi Textile Limited' after about 25 years of closure under a public-private partnership (PPP) with BTMC.

Led by PPP Chief Executive Officer Muhammad Rafiqul Islam, the delegation, consisting of BTMC Chairman Brig Gen SM Zahid Hassan and BTMC's PPP Project Director Kazi Firoj Hassan, also joined a workshop hosted by BTMC for investors.

Barendra Rajshahi Textile Mills Limited Chairman Shahidul Islam and Executive Director of Multiline Industries Limited Anisur Rahman were present on the occasion. 

Shahidul Islam told BSS that they want to turn this factory, located on around 26 acres of land at the Nawdapara area of the city, into the largest environment-friendly industrial enterprise in the country's northwest region.

The factory will be 100 percent export-oriented. Various bags, shoes and ready-made garments will be manufactured here. Additionally, a modern call centre will be established soon. 

A Taka 350-crore investment plan has been undertaken aiming to employ around 12,000 people within two years. 

Islam said, "We have to come out of the Dhaka-centric perspective for the sake of overall development of the country. That is why we have started this large industrial project in Rajshahi. Through this, thousands of people of Rajshahi will get employment opportunities and thus, the local economy will benefit from this initiative." 

"This factory will be a fully sustainable green industrial park, which will have solar energy, green zones and water recycling systems," he continued. 

"We have renovated an abandoned factory shed and started small-scale production of shoes and bags, employing around 1,000 local people," said Anisur Rahman.

Apart from this, the process of hiring another 1,000 people is underway. A 'Skill Development Centre' will be set up soon to enhance the skill of local workers. 

One of the objectives of this investment is to curb the trend towards the capital by utilizing the labor market of Rajshahi.

"We are optimistic that if this project is successful, we will be able to move forward with larger investments and expansion in the region in the future," he added. 

At present, PRAN-RFL Group operates two factories in Rajshahi - Barendra Industrial Park and PRAN Agro Limited - employing about 1,200 people.