"Our first priority is to identify whether there is still available space in the existing industrial parks," he told a press conference at the ministry's conference room.

Replying to a question, the minister said they were not thinking about any price-hike of fertilisers although the prices of gas and diesel have been increased.

To meet the demand of the fertilisers in the country, he said, the government earlier decided to import 400,000 metric tons of fertiliser this fiscal year.

"We are strictly monitoring production, demand, stock and distribution of fertilisers and hope to fulfill the demand successfully," said Motiur Rahman Nizami.

Clarifying the position of the government towards the backward linkage industries, he said: "We are extending cooperation to the backward linkage industries, not regulating them."

Nizami mentioned the cabinet in a meeting January 17 approved the Industrial Policy. "Because of this policy, foreign and local investors would be interested to invest in the country," he said.

The industrial sector was in total disarray before the alliance government took over power, he said adding that they had restored discipline in the sector.

The minister said: "We closed down eight industrial units under the industries ministry, including Adamjee Jute Mills, Khulna Newsprint Mill, Paksey Paper Mills and Rangpur Sugar Mills."

Any private entrepreneurs, willing to invest, can buy these units from the government, he said.

The minister said in the Industrial Policy, the government put emphasis on expansion and development of the agro-based and agro-processing industries.

To achieve the growth of and modernise the agro-based sector, the Industrial Policy defined the technology based seed production, expansion and processing of agro-products as industry, he added.

The minister said the policy underscored creating congenial environment to help the women entrepreneurs set up various types of industries. It also put emphasis on creating economic zone as in Malaysia, Thailand and India.

Mentioning the share of the industrial sector in the GDP as 16.3 percent in the last fiscal year, he said the policy indicated how to improve the share of the sector to 40 percent within a decade.

He said as recommended in the Industrial Policy, the government would give a national award each year for "Excellence in Productivity & Quality" to encourage production of world class products and efficient management.