No Estimate Provided for Boeing Deal, Says Finance Adviser

Finance Adviser Dr Salehuddin Ahmed has stated that government land will no longer be handed over at symbolic prices. From now on, any party wishing to acquire public land must pay its due value. He made the remarks to journalists on Tuesday (29 July) after meetings of the Advisory Committee on Economic Affairs and the Advisory Committee on Public Procurement held at the Secretariat.

During the Economic Affairs Committee meeting, a proposal was presented to transfer 54.99 acres of land—previously occupied by the now-defunct Jalil Textile Mills in Chattogram—to the Bangladesh Army at a symbolic price for the expansion of the Bangladesh Ordnance Factory (BOF).

In response to journalists’ queries, Dr Ahmed said:

“The army wants the Jalil Textile Mills property, but we’ve proposed not to hand it over at a symbolic rate. We aim to avoid symbolic pricing from now on. Whoever takes it must pay the market price, because when land is handed over at symbolic prices, it is often not utilised properly.”

Unanswered Questions Regarding Boeing Purchase

When questioned about how much it would cost to purchase 25 Boeing aircraft from the United States to address the trade deficit, Dr Ahmed did not provide a direct answer.

Another journalist followed up, asking whether the trade deficit could truly be addressed through the Boeing deal, and what else might be imported from the US. Dr Ahmed replied:

“There are more items included. A package has been negotiated regarding what needs to be bought.”

When asked whether military equipment would also be purchased as part of the package, the finance adviser declined to comment and suggested that such questions be directed to the Trade Adviser, Sheikh Bashir Uddin.

Official Decision on Land Transfer

Following the meeting, the Ministry of Finance confirmed that the committee had given in-principle approval to transfer Jalil Textile Mills—under the control of Bangladesh Textile Mills—to the Bangladesh Army for the expansion of BOF in the Chattogram area.

Historical Context of Jalil Textile Mills

Jalil Textile Mills once stood as a symbol of industrial excellence. Post-nationalisation, its advanced weaving and dyeing facilities helped it achieve notable recognition before falling into disuse. The land now appears poised for renewed strategic use under military expansion plans.