Finance Minister AMA Muhith has said Walton is the best example of flourishing local industries in Bangladesh.He said this after formally inaugurating a new refrigerator manufacturing factory of Walton at Chandra in Gazipur on Friday morning.The Finance Minister also visited the under-construction factories of Walton for manufacturing mobile phones and electronic goods. During the visit, he also witnessed the progress of the construction work of these factories.
The Finance Minister said, "I`m very happy to come here. Walton has made a great achievement in the country`s industrial sector. Walton is moving ahead according to its plans. Its management is also very good. Walton has made great success in manufacturing refrigerators. It also makes moulds. The company is playing its due role in the country`s industrialisation and making significant contributions to the economy." Replying to a volley of questions from reporters about the next fiscal year`s budget, he insisted on increasing national productivity and giving protection to the local industries.Earlier, the Finance Minister reached at Walton Hi-Tech Industries Limited`s factory at Chandra in Gazipur at about 10am. High officials of Walton greeted him at the factory premises. After inaugurating the new factory, he went round manufacturing units of different Walton brand of products. Muhith also praised the quality of Walton products.R.B. Group Chairman S.M. Nurul Alam Rezvi, Managing Director S.M. Shamsul Alam, Walton Hi-Tech Industries Limited`s Managing Director S.M. Ashraful Alam, Runner Group`s Chairman Hafizur Rahman Khan and Managing Director Brig Gen (Retd) Shafiquzzaman, National Revenue Board`s Member (Customs and Policy) Farid Uddin and senior officials of Walton, among others, were present at that time.Immediately after reaching Walton factory, the Finance Minister first visited the company’s under-construction factories for manufacturing mobile phones and electronic goods. Apart from mobile phone sets, computer monitors and mother boards, Walton will manufacture advanced LED, OLED and 3D smart televisions, LED bulbs, lamps, home appliances (microwave oven, induction cooker, iron, blender, washing machine, hair dryer, rice cooker, alkaline battery etc) at these two factories. Bangladesh will be able to join the international technological highway with the start of production at these two factories.
Walton`s Operative Director Uday Hakim said the factory which was inaugurated by the Finance Minister is one of the modern refrigerator manufacturing factories in the world. It is equipped with the latest technology of the world. High quality frost- and non-frost refrigerators are now manufactured here.He said the company has planned to manufacture 600,000 units of refrigerators at the new manufacturing factory every year. Equipped with latest technology of the world, these refrigerators will also be available in the local market. With this, Walton’s total refrigerator manufacturing capacity is likely to reach 1.4 million units a year, though the demand of refrigerators in the local market is about 1.0 million units a year.Walton`s Executive Director (HR and Policy) S.M. Zahid Hasan said Walton has installed machineries which are equipped with triple-testing system. This system can ensure quality of the refrigerators. This new factory is going to start full-fledged operation mainly targeting the international market.
It is learnt that skilled and efficient manpower has brought a great opportunity for Walton to enter the international market in a bigger way. If Walton gets necessary policy support from the government, the company will be able to enter the world markets including Europe, America, Australia and Africa.