Bogura, Aug 8 (V7N) - The government has decided to develop Bogura as the country's prime 'light engineering hub' and an agro-based industrial centre, with work on a new 400-acre BSCIC industrial park set to begin this winter.

Ministers and state ministers announced the plans at the induction ceremony of the newly elected board of directors of Bogura Chamber of Commerce and Industry at a hotel today.

Road Transport, Railways and Shipping Minister Sheikh Robiul Alam said the decision to develop Bogura as a light engineering hub was recently taken at a high-level meeting with leading private-sector industrial entrepreneurs at the Prime Minister's Office. The government is moving ahead with a coordinated plan to attract substantial foreign and domestic investment to implement the initiative.

Commerce, Industries and Textiles Minister Khandaker Abdul Muktadir said the existing BSCIC estate had reached full capacity, prompting the new 400-acre park. Under the credit wholesaling scheme, small and medium entrepreneurs will be able to obtain loans at an interest rate of only 6 to 7 percent.

Local Government State Minister Mir Shahe Alam said the foundation stone for the long-awaited Sirajganj-Bogura double-gauge railway line will be laid by November-December, with a container depot to be constructed at Bogura Railway Station directly connected to Chattogram and Mongla ports. He also said domestic flights would be introduced from January as part of efforts to upgrade Bogura Airport to international standards, and the country's first "drone factory" would begin operations under Air Force supervision.

He also said a Taka 1,100-crore project to restore navigability to the Karatoya River, a multi-purpose "Sports Village," and various activities of the newly formed Bogura City Corporation and development authority were progressing fast.

Local lawmakers Golam Mohammad Siraj, Md Abdul Matin Talukder, Suraiya Jerin Rony, Md Rezaul Karim Badsha, Md Mosharraf Hossain, and Morshed Milton attended as special guests. Bogura City Corporation Administrator M R Islam Swadhin, District Council Administrator AKM Ahsanul Tayyab Zakir, Deputy Commissioner Md Toufiqur Rahman, Superintendent of Police Morjina Sayem Mahmud, and TSSM Founder Prof. Dr Hossne-Ara Begum also spoke.

Chamber President M.S.M. Atikur Rahman Badal presided over the programme.