South Asian nations move to revive closed state-owned sugar mills

South Asian nations are taking steps to revive dormant state-owned sugar production. In Bangladesh, the Bangladesh Sugar and Food Industries Corporation (BSFIC) plans a phased reopening of six closed state-owned sugar mills. The initiative aims to boost sugar production, create jobs, and support the rural economy. To manage costs, the BSFIC intends to use sugarcane bagasse for in-house power generation through cogeneration, potentially supplying surplus electricity to the national grid.

In Nepal, the government has formed a task force to evaluate the feasibility of restarting the Birgunj Sugar Factory, which has been closed for several years. Following a Cabinet decision, the task force has 15 days to assess the factory’s machinery, infrastructure, and land assets. The study will determine if existing structures can be reused or if new technology and infrastructure are required to resume operations.