"It will be leased out to those having experience and ability to run it properly," said a government official seeking anonymity. The decision was taken at a recent cabinet meeting.

A committee will be formed to decide what way and how long the centre will be leased out, said the official.

The centre that took Tk 200 crore for construction was inaugurated on January 12, 2002, with the Chinese government funding Tk 135 crore.

It was designed to host NAM Summit during the Awami League rule. But the plan was cancelled after the caretaker government took office.

To maintain the huge centre, there are only 30 staffers, most of them technical workers. "It's difficult to maintain such a huge complex with so less manpower," said Mohammed Atiur Rahman of the Public Works Department.

The centre misses out on customers for its halls, as it does not have catering service. People do not want to bring food from outside, he said.

The government has monthly proceeds of around Tk 35 lakh from it. The huge plenary hall with 1,662 seats is rented out at Tk 2,30,000 with 15 per cent VAT (value-added tax). The big banquet hall with a seating arrangement for 700 can be hired at Tk 2 lakh.

The maintenance of the centre costs around Tk 4 lakh a month, said the sources.

The government is earning profits through renting the halls. The leasing-out of the centre to the private sector can be more fruitful for the government, the sources said.