Dhaka: China has expressed its deep interest to upgrade or newly construct three paper mills of the country- Karnaphuli Paper Mills, Khulna Paper Mills and North-Bengal Paper Mills, Pakshi- on government-to-government (G to G) basis.

China Chemical Engineering Second Construction Corporation (CCESCC), a wholly-owned subsidiary of the China National Chemical Engineering Company Ltd, a state-owned corporation, expressed their deep interest to implement this through a project in a letter sent to Industries Minister Amir Hossain Amu on 12 July 2015.

In the letter, General Manager of CCESCC Zhang Weiguo said that the Corporation carries out design and construction for vast majority of the chemical engineering projects in China and also a lot of overseas projects.

Zhang also said that the company was founded more than 60 years ago and always acted as the 'Vanguard' and 'National team' in China's chemical engineering services industry since the establishment of the PRC.

Highlighting the vast experiences of the Corporation, he said that CCESCC has rich experience in contracting paper mills of this or similar capacity, it could offer excellent management of construction and improve the implementing efficiency so there will be competitive cost advantage, CCESCC could also provide technical innovation so that the paper mills could get surplus profit once it comes into operation stage.

The CCESCC General Manager also said that the Corporation has strong technical force with rich experience in engineering and strong comprehensive management capabilities for this kind of project as well as rich human resources to implement this project.

‘The paper mill (s) could be a reliable and stable supply to the customers, which could improve the local industrial development,’ the letter said.

The CCESCC also attached a draft MoU with the letter for signing subject to the consideration of the Bangladesh Industries Minister.

The draft MoU is proposed to be signed between the Bangladesh Chemical Industries Corporation (BCIC) and the CCESCC for reconstruction or upgradation of the country's three paper mills by using Chinese government loan.

The proposed MoU will be valid for a period of 12 months from the date of signing of MoU and validity period may be extended depending on the performance of both the parties.

According to Industries Ministry, Karnaphuli Paper Mills is a government-owned paper pulp and paper manufacturer in Chittagong. The factory is the largest paper producing factory in Bangladesh and operates as a subsidiary of BCIC.

Besides, the North Bengal Paper Mill was established in 1966 on 133 acres of land on the bank of the River Padma near Hardinge Bridge.

It started production in 1975. Despite its production capacity of 15000 tons per month, it was closed on 30 December 2002.