In the last year, the economy of the southern part of the country including Barishal has seen positive changes due to the Padma Bridge.
Due to improved communication, industrial and other investments are being made in the division to build factories one after the other. Entrepreneurs are becoming more interested in setting up new industries in the region.
In 37 acres of low-lying land in Bangladesh Small and Cottage Industries Corporation’s (BSCIC) development project of Tk 74 crore 110 plots have been filled up in the extended part of the industrial area.
In the meantime, 30 plots have been allocated to the traders. Apart from this, more traders are constantly applying for plot allocation.
In this regard, the local businessmen said a clothing manufacturing factory, bottled water purification plant and comforter factory have been established in BSCIC, Barishal for the first time in the communication milestone.
Barishal’s traditional hilsa fish trade has also gained new momentum as it can now be exported to the northeastern part of the country easily. Entrepreneurs are also interested in investing in the fish and vegetable trade in the region.
A local businessman said that due to Padma Bridge, new export possibilities have opened up in the region. “We are hoping that our purchase orders will increase further and as a result, our business will expand,” he added.
Another businessman said, “Not only our Barishal but every businessman in the southern region has benefited because of the Padma Bridge. BSCIC in the area is also progressing gradually.”
Dr Sudeep Kumar Halder, the editor of Sampreeti Barishal, said there are no vacant plots left on either side of the road from Faridpur’s Bhanga to Barishal.
“All industrial plots have been grabbed by entrepreneurs. They are building new factories of different kinds. Within the next year or so, the unemployment rate in the district will decrease to 10-30 per cent,” he said.
However, the concerned experts feel that the expected industrial development will be hindered if gas is not supplied locally through the pipeline from Bhola.
Economics Department of the University of Barishal’s Associate Professor Jyotirmoy Biswas said, “If the gas field in the Bay of Bengal or Bhola can be used to supply gas to the southern or southwestern region, then the economic growth will be much faster. Along with a better communication system, the southern region will become the driving force of the country’s economy once new factories are built.”
He also said that the Padma Bridge has most benefitted the unemployed youth of the southern region.
President of Barishal Chamber of Commerce Saidur Rahman Rintu said Barishal has seen an overall positive change due to Padma Bridge.
“We have benefited significantly. However, gas has become a major problem in industrial development. As soon as Bhola’s gas is supplied to Barishal through the pipeline, the industrial development here will be fully implemented,” he added.
He also said that there has been a radical change in the economic sector of the southern district within just one year of the launch of the Padma Bridge adding, “About 50 industries are being established in Barisal city alone. It has created employment for thousands of people.
