A local vested interest group in Chhatak has been harassing the LafargeHolcim company in various ways, aiming to hinder its aggregates operation.
The group in 2021 under the banner of “Bebshayee-Sramik Oikya Parishad”, filed complaints against LafargeHolcim in various government departments, including the Ministry of Industries.
Following their complaints, the Ministry of Industries formed an inter-ministerial enquiry committee and the matter went to the court as well.
After a full-fledged investigation, the ministry of industries granted permission for the production and sale of aggregates in the open market in favour of the company. The High court also gave judgment in favour of LafargeHolcim after the full bench hearing. Later the Appellate Division of the Supreme Court disposed of the matter.
However, disregarding all concerned government agencies and the court's judgment, some stone traders of Chhatak in Sunamganj district have continued to organise various meetings against the company and threatening the company to stop the aggregates business to fulfil their vested interest, the company officials said.
In this regard, Asif Bhuiyan, Chief Corporate Affairs Officer and Human Resource Director of LafargeHolcim said, “The Company is continuing the aggregates business with required approvals from the pertinent authorities and court orders. LafargeHolcim is always respectful to the law.”
Dr Zayed Bakht, Chairman of the state-owned Agrani Bank and an economist, commented that the loss of business by any multinational company due to such local movements will be against future foreign investment.
At the beginning of January 2021, LafargeHolcim Bangladesh started producing Aggregates commercially in Bangladesh. The company has invested around Tk 40 crore in setting up the aggregates plant. Its production capacity is about 12 lakh tonnes per annum which is insignificant in comparison to the total demand.
LafargeHolcim has generated employment for around 800 people directly and indirectly through this project which is also saving more than Tk 200 crores of foreign exchange annually by producing aggregates products locally.
Aggregates have been commonly used for construction across the globe and Bangladesh is no exception that needs to be imported from other countries to ensure the supply for construction work in the country.
