State-owned re-rolling mill Dhaka Steel Works Ltd finally reopened on Thursday, 24 years after suspension of its production.
The industries ministry formally reopened the steel production base at Tongi in Gazipur, according to a press release issued the same day.
This has been done as part of the government's promise to resume production in all the closed industrial units across the country, it said.
At the opening ceremony, industries minister Amir Hossain Amu said his ministry would convert the steel unit into a complete industry within a short time span.
"With this end in view, two more units will be installed here," he told the function moderated by industries secretary Muhammad Abdullah.
Zahid Ahsan Russel, chairman of the parliamentary standing committee on youth and sports ministry, and Jahangir Alam, newly-elected Gazipur City Corporation mayor, also spoke on the occasion.
Mizanur Rahman, chairman of Bangladesh Steel and Engineering Corporation (BSEC), also addressed the event.
The minister attached importance to diversification of products and environment-friendly production to make it a profitable state entity.
He urged the officials and employees concerned to show the highest degree of skill, integrity and professionalism.
Mr Amu said the industry-friendly government took multiple measures to further accelerate the wheels of economy in line with the Vision-2021.
The speakers at the function welcomed the reopening of the mill.
They expressed optimism that the factory would help stabilise the market of iron rods.
They reasserted mandatory installation of ETPs (effluent treatment plants) for all kinds of industries to rid the environment of industrial pollution.