BSS, Rajshahi :
Foreign investment towards agriculture and its processing sector in Rajshahi has become an urgent need for making the sector more value added and vibrant, speakers at a discussion here said.
They viewed if the investment were enhanced substantially the agricultural coupled with ICT sector will fetch an unprecedented success for the region. Quick implementation of the proposed Hi-tech Park in Rajshahi could be the effective means of flourishing the agro-based economy.
The observations came at a workshop styled “Foreign Investment in Rajshahi Agriculture: Problems and Prospects” held at the conference hall of Deputy Commissioner in Rajshahi Thursday.
Board of Investment (BoI) and District Administration jointly organized the programme where Upazila Chairmen, Upazila Nirbahi Officers and officials attended.
With Deputy Commissioner Mejbah Uddin Chowdhury in the chair, District Fisheries Officer Golam Rabbani, District Animal Resource Officer Dr Mijanur Rahman and Charghat Upazila Chairman Abu Sayeed Chand, among others, spoke on the occasion.
During his keynote presentation, Sonjoy Chakravarty, Deputy Director of BoI, reveals volume of foreign investment in Rajshahi since 1971 to 2013 is only 0.014 percent. The figure is very negligible towards enriching the export list besides minimizing the existing gap between export and import.
Referring to the existing statistics in various developed and developing countries he says foreign investment always supportive towards rising labourers value besides boosting their competent numbers.
He underscored the need for setting up agro-processing industries to ensure maximum utilization of agricultural products.
Establishment of agro-processing industries would encourage the farmers to grow more high valued products for their higher income. He termed the industrialization as the most relevant indicator of the country’s progress and prosperity.
The agro-based industries constitute about 50 percent of the country’s total industries, employing 60 percent of the total labor forces in the industrial sector.
Sonjoy added that government will is very important towards accelerating the foreign investment. Because, the foreigners aren’t interested in investing if there is any political instability.
Deputy Commissioner Mejbah Uddin said local infrastructure, legal framework, unskilled labourers and political instability are the main obstacles towards foreign investment.
Foreign investment towards agriculture and its processing sector in Rajshahi has become an urgent need for making the sector more value added and vibrant, speakers at a discussion here said.
They viewed if the investment were enhanced substantially the agricultural coupled with ICT sector will fetch an unprecedented success for the region. Quick implementation of the proposed Hi-tech Park in Rajshahi could be the effective means of flourishing the agro-based economy.
The observations came at a workshop styled “Foreign Investment in Rajshahi Agriculture: Problems and Prospects” held at the conference hall of Deputy Commissioner in Rajshahi Thursday.
Board of Investment (BoI) and District Administration jointly organized the programme where Upazila Chairmen, Upazila Nirbahi Officers and officials attended.
With Deputy Commissioner Mejbah Uddin Chowdhury in the chair, District Fisheries Officer Golam Rabbani, District Animal Resource Officer Dr Mijanur Rahman and Charghat Upazila Chairman Abu Sayeed Chand, among others, spoke on the occasion.
During his keynote presentation, Sonjoy Chakravarty, Deputy Director of BoI, reveals volume of foreign investment in Rajshahi since 1971 to 2013 is only 0.014 percent. The figure is very negligible towards enriching the export list besides minimizing the existing gap between export and import.
Referring to the existing statistics in various developed and developing countries he says foreign investment always supportive towards rising labourers value besides boosting their competent numbers.
He underscored the need for setting up agro-processing industries to ensure maximum utilization of agricultural products.
Establishment of agro-processing industries would encourage the farmers to grow more high valued products for their higher income. He termed the industrialization as the most relevant indicator of the country’s progress and prosperity.
The agro-based industries constitute about 50 percent of the country’s total industries, employing 60 percent of the total labor forces in the industrial sector.
Sonjoy added that government will is very important towards accelerating the foreign investment. Because, the foreigners aren’t interested in investing if there is any political instability.
Deputy Commissioner Mejbah Uddin said local infrastructure, legal framework, unskilled labourers and political instability are the main obstacles towards foreign investment.
