Industries Adviser Adilur Rahman Khan has signalled a major shake-up in the Bangladesh Small and Cottage Industries Corporation (BSCIC), announcing that industrial plots distributed on political grounds under the previous government are set to be cancelled.
Speaking at the BSCIC Annual Conference and Workshop 2025 in Dhaka, Khan said many plots remained idle because they had been awarded to individuals who were “not genuine entrepreneurs”, and that such allocations “must go”.
Khan underscored the central role of small, cottage and medium enterprises in Bangladesh’s industrial growth, noting that they account for roughly 80% of industrial employment and contribute about 25% of GDP. He highlighted BSCIC’s extensive grassroots reach but acknowledged persistent complaints from businesses regarding inadequate services, limited access to finance and bureaucratic bottlenecks.
He also expressed concern over poorly utilised industrial estates, especially outside Dhaka, where shortages of energy and gas continue to hinder operations.
Calling for sweeping reforms, Khan urged the BSCIC to eliminate bureaucratic delays and transition into an efficient, fully digital one-stop service platform. He also encouraged district-level officials to promote youth entrepreneurship, saying young people should be supported to become job creators rather than job seekers, echoing the inclusive ethos of the July movement.
