Sheltech Group, one of the leading business conglomerates, has unveiled an investment programme worth around Tk 15.04 billion across agro-processing, real estate, textiles, manufacturing and renewable energy, aiming to create nearly 45,000 jobs, including about 40,000 through contract farming in the agriculture sector.
With the new investments, the group targets an annual turnover of approximately Tk 100 billion by 2030.
The 38-year-old conglomerate said the push would strengthen industrial capacity, boost exports and generate significant employment. It will invest more than Tk 10 billion from its own resources, while the remaining funds will come from joint venture partners and be financed through own funds, bank borrowings and low-cost foreign financing.
"We are diversifying our portfolio and expanding into multiple sectors to tap growing opportunities in both domestic and export markets," said Sheltech Group Managing Director Tanvir Ahmed.
"The new projects would create more job opportunities and contribute to economic development," said Tanvir, a second-generation business leader.
The flagship venture, Spain Bangladesh Agro Industry Ltd, a Spanish joint venture, has attracted an investment of around Tk 4.0 billion. The company has started production at its plant in Parbatipur, Dinajpur and has begun exporting sweet corn to the European Union.
The plant can process sweet corn, pineapples, mangoes, tangerines, jackfruit, potatoes and other local fruits.
This unit is expected to bring around 40,000 farmers under contract farming across nearly 36,000 bighas of land to produce corn, employ about 1,500 workers directly, and, once fully operational, generate annual export earnings of approximately Tk 24.4 billion.
"We are committed to meeting global quality standards while ensuring sustainability and traceability throughout the value chain," said Tanvir Ahmed.
In the real estate sector, Sheltech has earmarked Tk 5.75 billion to develop a 17-storey shopping complex on its own 53-katha plot in Banasree. The project will offer around 200,000 square feet of commercial space, while the construction work is set to begin this month, with completion targeted for January 2030.
Tanvir Ahmed described it as the first modern shopping centre of its kind in the area, adding that it will be built as a LEED-certified green building.
The group is also developing 21 residential projects in Jolshiri Abashon under joint ventures, with an investment of Tk 2.65 billion, delivering 168 units in the fast-growing township near Dhaka.
Sheltech has also completed a Tk 850 million investment in Grind Tech Ltd in Sylhet -- the country's only abrasive paper facility, now in commercial production. The import substitution unit is also targeting exports to neighbouring markets and the USA.
Grind Tech officials said they have received inquiries from the US market for different types of abrasive paper, which are in the development stage.
In the textile sector, listed Envoy Textiles Ltd plans to invest Tk 1.79 billion to expand spinning capacity by 25 tonnes per day for blended yarn, with completion expected by February 2027. Sheltech owners and associated entities are among the major shareholders of Envoy Textiles.
Sheltech Group also plans 10 megawatts of solar power generation across its operations to cut carbon emissions and improve energy sustainability.
The group's current annual turnover stands at nearly Tk 67 billion, with a workforce of around 16,000. Once the new projects are fully operational, it expects annual turnover to rise to around Tk 100 billion by 2030, driven by agro-processing export earnings, Jolshiri real estate sales, the Banasree shopping complex and expanded textile capacity.
The group's activities span real estate, large-scale government and private construction, foundation engineering, urban planning and consultancy, meat processing, GSA services for international airlines, tea estates, educational institutions, stock brokerage, a digital media platform, ready-made garments, textiles, abrasive manufacturing, ceramic tiles manufacturing and SPC pole manufacturing.Government
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