Economy
S Alam Sugar Mill Reopens After Warehouse Fire
S Alam Refined Sugar Industries Limited is poised to reopen its Chattogram mill, just five days after a fire ravaged a warehouse containing raw sugar. The incident raised concerns about potential price hikes during Ramadan and the environmental impact on the Karnaphuli River.
According to Mohammad Hossain, the general manager (human resources) at the group, sugar refining at the factory is scheduled to recommence on Saturday. The fire broke out in the S Alam Group crude sugar warehouse around 4 pm on Monday, with fifteen firefighting units managing to control the situation later that night, preventing the flames from reaching the main factory and adjacent warehouses.
Although efforts to completely extinguish the fire in warehouse No. 1 were still ongoing on Friday afternoon, the proximity of the fire to the 11 MW S Alam Power Plant was successfully averted. The sugar mill, reliant on electricity generated by the plant, is now preparing to resume operations.
Company officials revealed that the mill had stored 400,000 tonnes of raw sugar across four warehouses, intended for refinement and sale during Ramadan. Unfortunately, approximately 100,000 tonnes of this stock stored in warehouse No. 1 was destroyed in the fire. Authorities attribute the challenges in extinguishing the fire to the carbon and oxygen content in the raw sugar.
Beyond the immediate impact, the incident has raised environmental concerns. Since Monday afternoon, fish and aquatic life in the Karnaphuli River have surfaced due to diminished dissolved oxygen levels caused by burnt sugar waste entering the water. Experts are calling for measures to prevent further environmental damage.
Expatriate Bangladeshis sent approximately US$ 2.11 billion in remittances during the first 28 days of September in the fiscal year 2024-25, according to data released by Bangladesh Bank on 29 September.
Of this total, state-owned and specialised banks handled $679.10 million, while private banks received $1.43 billion in remittances.
Chief Adviser to Bangladesh’s interim government, Professor Muhammad Yunus, has vowed to expedite reforms and hold elections swiftly. Yunus, who recently assumed the role after the collapse of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s 15-year administration, expressed his commitment during an interview with Tokyo-based news outlet NHK WORLD in New York on Sunday. He was attending the United Nations General Assembly at the time.
Following mass student-led protests that ended Hasina’s long-standing rule in August, Yunus stepped in as the leader of the caretaker government. Known for founding Grameen Bank, an institution providing microloans to the underprivileged, Yunus, along with the bank, earned the Nobel Peace Prize in 2006 for his efforts in poverty alleviation.
During the interview, Yunus emphasized that the interim government’s primary mission is to implement reforms promptly and ensure elections are held as soon as the groundwork is complete. He underscored the importance of success, stating, “Failure is not something that we can accept.”
Addressing the pivotal role of students in the ousting of the Hasina administration, Yunus acknowledged the sacrifices made by young people, referring to their involvement as part of a “revolution.” He highlighted his intention to engage the younger generation in shaping policy.
Furthermore, Yunus called for continued support from Japan, Bangladesh’s largest donor, during this crucial transition period. He stressed that Japan’s assistance is vital to stabilizing Bangladesh’s economy and fostering a democratic foundation in the nation.
Syeda Rizwana Hasan, the Adviser for Environment, Forests, and Climate Change, announced today that steps will be taken to restrict the use of polythene shopping bags to safeguard future generations.
Starting from October 1, polythene bags will be banned in shopping malls, followed by a ban in kitchen markets from November 1.
“Everyone must take responsibility and stop using polythene voluntarily. Action against polythene producers will begin from November 1,” Rizwana Hasan stated during a seminar.
The Department of Environment (DoE) organized the seminar to raise public awareness about alternatives to banned polythene bags.
Rizwana Hasan highlighted that the restriction on polythene will be executed in phases according to legal provisions, and discussions with shopping centers and store owners are ongoing to ensure a smooth transition.
She also announced plans to make the government secretariat a plastic-free zone by December.
Other speakers at the seminar included Environment Secretary Dr. Farhina Ahmed, DoE Director General Dr. Abdul Hamid, Director Rajinara Begum, President of the Shop Owners Association Muhammad Helal Uddin, and Md. Arifur Rahman Bhuiyan, Assistant Professor of Environmental Science at BUP. They discussed the harmful effects of polythene and the need for alternative products.
Earlier, Rizwana Hasan inaugurated a fair showcasing eco-friendly alternatives to polythene bags and visited 24 stalls. The fair featured products from government and private entrepreneurs, including reusable bags, jute bags, paper bags, and items made from bamboo and cane.
