CHITTAGONG, Feb 15: Bashundhara Group Managing Director Sayem Sobhan Anvir has said the Group has taken several mega projects in Chittagong to create employment opportunity for around 40,000 people.
He made the disclosure while talking to reporters after paying a courtesy call on Chittagong City Corporation (CCC) Mayor AJM Nasir Uddin at the latter’s office on Thursday afternoon.
He said the projects will bring massive changes to Chittagong.
Sayem Sobhan said Bashundhara Group, one of the largest conglomerates of the country, will be working and will remain by stakeholders for the development of Chittagong.
He said the Group had taken initiatives to set up an oil refinery and petrochemical plant and a multipurpose terminal at Sitakunda under Chittagong district.
Employment opportunities for 30,000 to 40,000 people will be created after implementation of the projects, he said.
Mayor Nasir told the newsmen that he had had a good relation with Bashundhara Group for long.
“Bashundhara is a leading corporate house of the country. It has invested in different sectors, including real estate, creating employment for several lakh people,” said the mayor, also general secretary of Chittagong city unit of the ruling Awami League.
“I requested him (Bashundhara Group MD) to invest in Chittagong for creating more employment. He assured me of making investment here and took several projects,” said Mayor Nasir.
“I also assured him of providing all-out support from my side for implementation of the projects,” he said.
To a question on barriers to investment in Chittagong, the Bashundhara Group managing director said traffic congestion had appeared as a main problem now.
“I came to Chittagong to attend a programme around four months ago. It took me three to three-and-a-half hours to reach the hotel from airport.
“Good communication system is imperative for development of a country. No businessman will be able to proceed if four hours are wasted on road,” he added.
Calling AJM Nasir a dynamic mayor, Sayem Sobhan requested him to repair and widen the city roads.
“We have faith in the mayor and he will be able to address the problems in Chittagong,” he said.
“The mayor is a person who remains in our soul and has been providing support to us for long,” he added.
The Bashundhara Group MD laid emphasis on giving focus on areas outside the city corporation in undertaking industrial projects.
“I have seen many projects have faced closure before starting in the country,” he said.
“There is blessing from almighty Allah on Bashundhara Group. We have done everything successfully. Not only own profit, the benefit of people and the country will have to be considered while launching any project,” he said.
High officials of the business group, among others, were present during the courtesy call.