After 21 years, Thakurgaon silk factory set to resume production on 3 August

After being closed for a staggering 21 years, Thakurgaon Silk Factory is all set to resume operation formally on 3 August.

Activities to make the factory operational is currently underway, with machines being cleaned and fit for weaving cloths.

Once known for producing smooth silk fabrics, the factory houses 20 power looms and 20 hand looms, all of which will be operational again. The reopening has brought excitement among both old and newly recruited workers.

The closure of the silk factory had a significant impact on around 5,000 silk farmers, leaving them unemployed. The reopening of the factory is expected to create job opportunities for over 5000 farmers associated with sericulture as the factory will produce smooth silk fabric using their silkworms' yarn.

Supriya Group in Thakurgaon has taken the factory on lease for five years, aiming to export the silk fabric.

Local MP Ramesh Chandra Sen will inaugurate the resumption of production in the factory, said Md. Bablur Rahman, chairman of Supriya Group.

All preparations for the factory's operation have been completed, and about 25-30 workers, including eight old factory workers, have been employed, he said.

Despite a minor issue with some of the machines, efforts are underway to resolve it, and additional new machines will be procured if required, he added.

The journey towards reopening the factory began in 2019 when an investigation team, led by Moniruzzaman, a joint secretary of the Ministry of Textiles and Jute, submitted a report confirming the feasibility of restarting the factory.

A technical committee of nine members was subsequently formed in October 2020 to outline the operational procedures, leading to the leasing of the factory to Supriya Group.

Belayet Hossain, the newly appointed General Manager of the factory, said that all technical work has been successfully completed, and they have already reached out to the former factory workers who are willing and able to return to work.

Thakurgaon District Commissioner Md Mahbubur Rahman said the factory's revival will generate employment opportunities for many.

The silk fabric produced in Thakurgaon has a high demand both nationally and internationally, he said.

Established by the private organisation RDRS in 1977-78, the modernization work of the factory was completed in December 1998. It was shut down in November 2002 due to reported losses.

Over the years, the people of Thakurgaon, along with sericulturists, persistently called for its reopening, leading to its lease of life to the private sector after 21 years.