The government on Thursday transferred state-owned Jalil Textile Mills to the Bangladesh Army for expansion of the Bangladesh Ordnance Factory (BOF), aiming to increase domestic defence production capacity and create scope for future exports.
An agreement between Bangladesh Textile Mills Corporation (BTMC) and the Bangladesh Army was signed at the mill’s auditorium in Bhatiari, Sitakunda, Chattogram.
Commerce, Industry and Textiles and Jute Minister Khandakar Abdul Muktadir said Bangladesh should develop its defence industry into a modern, technology-driven and production-oriented sector while strengthening defence capabilities and exploring export opportunities.
He said the BOF expansion would increase the country’s capacity to manufacture defence equipment and create new employment opportunities.
The minister said rapid technological advances had changed the nature of warfare, with innovations such as drones and other modern defence systems reshaping military capabilities worldwide.
“Bangladesh’s defence industry must therefore be developed as a technology-based and innovation-driven sector in line with changing global realities,” Muktadir said.
He stressed the importance of research and development in building a modern defence industry, saying Bangladesh could initially benefit from global technologies while developing long-term domestic capabilities.
Muktadir said the BOF expansion should not be viewed only as a project to meet domestic demand, but also as an opportunity to enter international markets.
“If proper planning, research, technology and skilled manpower can be ensured, Bangladeshi defence products will be able to enter international markets in the future,” he said.
He added that the government would take initiatives to create opportunities for exporting defence products and secure necessary approvals.
State Minister for Textiles and Jute Md Shariful Alam said the government was working to revive closed industries by considering their location and economic potential.
“The land being handed over to the Bangladesh Army today will be used to expand a very important institution,” he said.
BTMC Chairman Brigadier General SM Zahid Hasan signed the agreement on behalf of BTMC, while Military Estate Officer Sazia Taher signed it on behalf of the Bangladesh Army.
Chief of Army Staff General Waker-Uz-Zaman, Armed Forces Division and Ministry of Defence Adviser Brigadier General (retd) AKM Shamsul Islam, Textiles and Jute Ministry Secretary Sharaf Uddin Ahmed and senior government officials attended the ceremony.
