NATORE. Dec 11: The prospect of setting up small, medium and large scale industries is bright in the comparatively less developed northern district including Natore, as the construction of the Jamuna Multi-purpose Bridge is nearing completion, reports UNB.

The industrialisation in the northern region lagged behind for a long time because of absence of gas supply, problems of transportation and communication. shortage and high price of fuels, erratic electric supply, lack of entrepreneurship, barriers of industrial loan sanction and the bureaucratic red tapism.

The multi-milllon-dollar JMB certainly not meant not only for facilitating crossing the river Jamuna by human but for enabling smooth movement of goods as well.

Presently, all goods and most of the passengers are carried via shutter ferries, launches and boats. Rapid industrialisation and setting up of a free trade zone along with the Indian border in Rajshahi might be some of the ways in which the utility as well as economic viability of the Jamuna Bridge could be enhanced.

According to local entrepreneurs, one of the most serious bottlenecks of industrialisation in the northern region is the absence of natural gas supply. It Is hoped for the sake of development and to check the deforestation, natural gas will be supplied on priority basis In the region.

Due to lack of natural gas supply, the use of firewood in

brickfields, cottage industries and house holds has been increased alarmingly. Many entrepreneurs of the country are reluctant to set up industries in this region because of the lack of gas and transportation facilities.

But the prospect of setting up agro-based industries exists also in the region of the country. A number of export processing zones (EPZs) could be established in this region if agrobased industries flourish.

In greater Rajshahi district, there is an ample scope for a number of ago-based industries. Rajshashi, Natore, Naogaon and Chapainawabganj districts are famous for mango, lichi, sugarcane, watermelon, sweet potato, potato, turmeric, catechu. shellac (sealing wax), fish and many other non-conven-tional agro-products like vegetables. fine rice. palm, seed cotton, sunflower, raw leather and meat.