Tk852cr mega project: BSTI to set up new labs to boost product testing capacity

The Ministry of Industries is set to undertake a project worth Tk852crore to significantly enhance the capacity for testing and verifying the quality of domestically produced and imported products.

The Bangladesh Standards and Testing Institution (BSTI) will implement the project, aimed at modernising and expanding laboratory facilities for chemical, food, textile, electrical and material products.

The project will be placed for approval at the meeting of the Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (Ecnec) to be held tomorrow (21 October) at the NEC conference room in Agargaon, Dhaka, according to Planning Commission sources.

The project is targeted for completion by June 2028.

It will be implemented through the expansion and modernisation of laboratories and the construction of a new building at BSTI's head office in Tejgaon, according to the Planning Commission.

Infrastructure and equipment

According to the project proposal, a 13‑storey building with a basement, covering about 12,519 square metres, will be constructed at the BSTI headquarters.

At the same time, laboratory facilities will also undergo major upgrades.

Under the project, 20 new chemical testing laboratories will be established and 18 existing labs modernised. In addition, 15 new labs will be set up and 14 existing ones expanded.

A total of 781 modern testing instruments will be procured under the project, including 541 for chemical testing and 240 for material testing.

The proposal also mentions the procurement of 258 types of chemicals and reference materials, 135 types of modules, and the establishment of five 'system labs' for air conditioners, refrigerators, transformers, LED lamps and solar equipment.

BSTI said that once implemented, the project will increase testing capacity for chemical and food products by 63%, and for material, electrical and textile products by up to 50%.

Currently, BSTI issues around 20,000 test reports annually; with the new laboratories, this number could rise to about 32,000 per year.

At present, 299 products are on BSTI's mandatory testing list.

In addition, another 79 products will come under BSTI's testing scope under the Ministry of Commerce's import policy.

The Ministry of Industries expects the project to bring major positive changes by supporting domestic industry, ensuring quality production, expanding exports, and curbing counterfeit and substandard products in the market.

With the modernisation of laboratories, the quality of locally produced goods will align with international standards.

The Planning Commission has emphasised the need to complete the project on time and to establish a sustainable quality control system.