Abu Sazzad :
The government yesterday awarded CIP (Commercially Important Person) status to 56 business people in export and trade categories for outstanding performances in their respective fields in the year 2014.
Of the recipients, 12 are the presidents or chairmen of different trade bodies. Of the rest, twenty-one got in large scale category, nine in medium scale category, six in small scale category, two in micro category, one in handicrafts category and five in service sector category.
Industries Minister Amir Hossain Amu handed over the CIP cards to the recipients at a function organised by the Ministry in a city hotel.
Addressing the function, Amu said, all the economic indicators are moving in the positive direction because of good planning and hard work in every sector. At present, the industrial sector contributes 32 percent. In the fiscal 2008-09, country’s total export was $15.57 billion and in the FY 2013-14 it was $30.20 billion due to efforts of the business community, said the Minister.
“There is no alternative to the industrial growth to upgrade the livelihood of the underprivileged people of the country and the government is sincerely working for further expansion of the industrial sector”, said Amu.
He noted that already the poverty rate decreased from 31.50 percent to 24 percent, per capita income is now $1200 and the reserve is $ 24 billion in the country, the Minister noted.
The government has undertaken industrial and investment friendly environment
in the country and that is why Bangladesh has proved to be resilient and attractive Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) destination even in the thick of severe global economic downturn and political unrest, said the Minister.
According to the latest information of the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), Bangladesh received $1.6 billion FDI in 2014. Now Bangladesh has achieved the second position among the Asian countries for attracting FDI.
The Industries Minister explained that production cost in Bangladesh is lower than in China for which the Chinese investors are considering to set up their companies in the country.
Japan External Trade Organisation conducted a survey recently where Bangladesh had been rated the most cost comparative advantageous country for trade, Amu added.
The government is going to introduce ‘National Industrial Policy-2015’ in which the private sector development would be given more priority.
“We want to establish a strong and vibrant private sector for attaining a sustainable economy and the government vision of middle-income country by 2021”, the Minister said.
Addressing as the special guest, Federation of Bangladesh Chamber of Commerce and Industry President Kazi Akramuddin Ahmed said, recognition plays a vital role to make the business community further contribution to the growth of economy.
Additional Secretary of Industries Ministry Md Farhad Uddin said that the CIPs would enjoy various facilities for the next one-year and the Ministry had already published a gazette notification containing the names of the business people.
The CIPs will enjoy some privileges including a pass and a car sticker for entry into the Secretariat, invitation in the national programmes and functions of municipal corporations, seat reservations in government transports, Biman and rail, letter of introduction from the Foreign Ministry for travelling abroad. They will also be allowed to use VIP lounge-2 at airports.
Education Ministry Secretary Md. Mosharrof Hossain Bhuiyan presided over the program.
The government yesterday awarded CIP (Commercially Important Person) status to 56 business people in export and trade categories for outstanding performances in their respective fields in the year 2014.
Of the recipients, 12 are the presidents or chairmen of different trade bodies. Of the rest, twenty-one got in large scale category, nine in medium scale category, six in small scale category, two in micro category, one in handicrafts category and five in service sector category.
Industries Minister Amir Hossain Amu handed over the CIP cards to the recipients at a function organised by the Ministry in a city hotel.
Addressing the function, Amu said, all the economic indicators are moving in the positive direction because of good planning and hard work in every sector. At present, the industrial sector contributes 32 percent. In the fiscal 2008-09, country’s total export was $15.57 billion and in the FY 2013-14 it was $30.20 billion due to efforts of the business community, said the Minister.
“There is no alternative to the industrial growth to upgrade the livelihood of the underprivileged people of the country and the government is sincerely working for further expansion of the industrial sector”, said Amu.
He noted that already the poverty rate decreased from 31.50 percent to 24 percent, per capita income is now $1200 and the reserve is $ 24 billion in the country, the Minister noted.
The government has undertaken industrial and investment friendly environment
in the country and that is why Bangladesh has proved to be resilient and attractive Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) destination even in the thick of severe global economic downturn and political unrest, said the Minister.
According to the latest information of the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), Bangladesh received $1.6 billion FDI in 2014. Now Bangladesh has achieved the second position among the Asian countries for attracting FDI.
The Industries Minister explained that production cost in Bangladesh is lower than in China for which the Chinese investors are considering to set up their companies in the country.
Japan External Trade Organisation conducted a survey recently where Bangladesh had been rated the most cost comparative advantageous country for trade, Amu added.
The government is going to introduce ‘National Industrial Policy-2015’ in which the private sector development would be given more priority.
“We want to establish a strong and vibrant private sector for attaining a sustainable economy and the government vision of middle-income country by 2021”, the Minister said.
Addressing as the special guest, Federation of Bangladesh Chamber of Commerce and Industry President Kazi Akramuddin Ahmed said, recognition plays a vital role to make the business community further contribution to the growth of economy.
Additional Secretary of Industries Ministry Md Farhad Uddin said that the CIPs would enjoy various facilities for the next one-year and the Ministry had already published a gazette notification containing the names of the business people.
The CIPs will enjoy some privileges including a pass and a car sticker for entry into the Secretariat, invitation in the national programmes and functions of municipal corporations, seat reservations in government transports, Biman and rail, letter of introduction from the Foreign Ministry for travelling abroad. They will also be allowed to use VIP lounge-2 at airports.
Education Ministry Secretary Md. Mosharrof Hossain Bhuiyan presided over the program.
