BSS, Dhaka :
Industries Minister Amir Hossain Amu Thursday called upon the industrial entrepreneurs to explore new markets besides diversifying products to give a boost to country’s export.
He also stressed the need for setting up industrial units in a planned way tapping the regional trade privileges from SAARC countries, China and Japan apart from the Europe.
The minister was speaking at a workshop on ‘Industrialization Strategies for the Next Decades’ at Sonargaon Hotel in the city.
Ministry of Industries and Bangladesh Chamber of Industries (BCI) jointly arranged the workshop presided over by the BCI President AK Azad. Prime Minister’s Energy Affairs Adviser Dr Tawfiq-e-Elahi, Bir Bikram, also spoke on the occasion as special guest.
Additional Director of Centre for Policy Dialogue Dr Khandaker Golam Moazzem presented the keynote paper on the topic.
Additional Secretary of the ministry M Farhad Uddin, chairman of Bangladesh Energy Regulatory Commission (BERC) AR Khan and senior vice-president of Federation of Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FBCCI) Monwara Hakim Ali, BCI senior vice- president Mostafa Azad Chowdhury Babu, industrial entrepreneurs and representatives from different trade bodies participated in the workshop.
Amu said initiative of public-private partnership (PPP) is a must for utilizing the potentials that have emerged due to globalization.
The government will take any decision regarding trade and commerce in consultation with the industrial entrepreneurs, he said.
Referring to country’s export of 705 products to 188 countries, he said leather industry in the country is emerging with the potential to be a multi-billion dollar basket.
To feed the industries, he said, the government is actively considering import of Liquefied National Gas (LNG) and development of infrastructures for it. Participants in the workshop said Bangladesh’s economy got a strong footing and now the country need not to depend on foreign aid for supporting national budget.
The country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) is on the rise, they said and favoured government patronization for flourishing small and medium industries.
The participants underlined the need for strengthening industrialization in seven special zones for employing tens of thousands of people.
They also laid emphasis on coal-based power plants under long term plan to meet the growing demand for energy in the country.
