Government Aims to Reopen All Fertilizer Factories Soon, Says BCIC Chairman
BCIC Chairman Md. Babul Miah announced that the government is actively working to resume operations at all state-run fertilizer factories to reduce heavy import costs.
PothikTV News Desk: 23 October 2026, 8:04 am
The government is working toward reopening all fertilizer factories across the country in an effort to save substantial foreign currency spent on urea imports, according to Bangladesh Chemical Industries Corporation (BCIC) Chairman Md. Babul Miah.
He made the remarks on Thursday afternoon while responding to questions from journalists following an inspection of the Ashuganj Fertilizer Factory.
The Ashuganj Fertilizer Factory has remained shut down since March 1 last year due to an acute gas shortage. However, the BCIC chairman expressed optimism that gas supply could be secured within this year to restart production at the facility.
Babul Miah highlighted that Bangladesh currently has to import around 2.6 million to 2.7 million metric tons of urea fertilizer annually to meet domestic demand. He stated that if the national factories remain operational and receive adequate gas supply, the country would not only meet its internal demand but also possess the capacity to export fertilizer.
He noted that the primary challenge facing the sector is the ongoing gas deficit. He emphasized that the government is actively addressing the issue to ensure steady gas supply and bring the plants back online, which would eventually eliminate the need for fertilizer imports.
During the visit, Ashuganj Fertilizer Factory Managing Director Sheikh Md. Ali Ashraf, Deputy General Manager (Administration) Tajul Islam, and other senior factory officials accompanied the BCIC chairman.
