"The BSTI has been suffering from severe manpower crisis. We are trying to strengthen it," said the minister at a press conference in the city.

A drive has been going on against adulterated and substandard food items, some of them without the BSTI certification and some others with fake marks, which are posing serious health hazards.

Packets of fake fruit juice, containing harmful chemicals, with BSTI mark were also found in the market.

The minister blamed the manufacturers for such malpractice. To obtain BSTI certification for their products, the producers submit samples of quality items to the BSTI, but supply substandard products to the market, he said.

Nizami said the government is going to reopen some closed mills and factories under the Bangladesh Chemical Industries Corporation (BCIC), including the Khulna Hardboard Mills, the Chlorine Plant of Karnaphuli Rayon and Chemicals and the Chittagong Chemicals.

The process is also underway to establish an industrial park in the closed Khulna Newsprint Mills area and privatise the Sylhet Pulp and Paper Mills, he said.

Besides, the Bangladesh Small and Cottage Industries Corporation (BSCIC) will set up industrial towns in Dhaka, Netrakona, Rangmati and Khagrachhari by 2006 and in Dhamrai and Noakhali by 2007.