The Bangladesh government has moved to establish another arms factory in Bhatiari, Chattogram, after Gazipur. Nearly 55 acres of land belonging to Jalil Textile Mills Limited, controlled by the Bangladesh Textile Mills Corporation, has been allocated to the Bangladesh Army for the project. A land transfer agreement was signed on Thursday in the presence of Commerce, Industries, Textiles and Jute Minister Khandaker Abdul Muktadir and Army Chief General Waker-Uz-Zaman.

According to the Inter-Services Public Relations Directorate, the initiative is intended to expand arms factory operations. The government decided to hand over the 54.99-acre Jalil Textile Mill to the army at a symbolic price after the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs gave in-principle approval on July 1. The BTMC chairman and the Military Estate Officer of Chattogram Eastern Circle signed the agreement on behalf of their respective sides.

ISPR said the expansion would increase domestic production of modern weapons and ammunition, reduce foreign dependence and strengthen Bangladesh’s defence capability. The industry minister said the government wants products made in the country, including defence equipment, to be appreciated internationally. The army chief thanked the prime minister for measures taken to modernise the army and expressed hope that the continuity would continue.