Prime Minister's Economic Affairs Adviser Mashiur Rahman has advocated for Rampal power plant near the Sundarbans saying that it will help the local industries to double their production capacity.

"Rampal may be a controversial issue. I have been supporting Rampal power project strongly," the adviser said while addressing a seminar today on 'Issues and challenges of financial closure of large and mega power projects' in Dhaka.

But, it does not mean that if there are environmental issues, those would not be fully addressed, he said.

Khulna was once the centre of jute industry, but it is now de-industrialised, he said adding that there are, however, many small and medium sized factories on both sides of the 60km road between Khulna and Jessore.

But, these industries are using only about 30 to 40 percent of their production capacity due to non-availability of electricity and gas.

"If these factories can be provided with electricity, their production capacity will be doubled without any additional investment in near future," he said.

"I have been informed that the plant is about 4 or 6 miles outside the area that has been defined as the protected area for the Sundarbans. If there is any issue, it has to be looked into more carefully," he further said.

The seminar was organised by the Dhaka Chamber of Commerce and Industry (DCCI) at its auditorium in the capital's Motijheel area.