UNB, Dhaka :
Industries Minister Amir Hossain Amu on Friday said the entrepreneurs engaged in country’s small and cottage industries are ‘key instruments’ for building a prosperous Bangladesh.
“The innovative ideas and techniques of the entrepreneurs will have to be utilised fully for rapid industrialization,” he told a function in the city.
Mentioning Bangladesh’s continuous economic progress despite various hurdles, Amu said the international community is recognising Bangladesh as a ‘role model of development’.
“Though many developed countries are on the path of negative growth due to global economic slowdown, Bangladesh is in discussion globally as a role model for development maintaining steady economic growth,” he said.
Referring to Nobel laureate economist Amartya Sen and other economists, Amu said they have already identified Bangladesh as a rising economic power in the South-East Asia region.
The industries minister said the present government is working to build a prosperous nation aiming to achieve the goal of the country’s independence and the small and cottage entrepreneurs can play an important role in achieving the goal.
The Industries Minister was speaking at the inaugural session of the third ‘National SME Fair-2014’ as the chief guest at Bangabandhu International Conference Centre (Media Bazaar).
Industries Secretary M Moinuddin Abdullah and SME Foundation General Manager M Mujibur Rahman also spoke on the occasion with SME Foundation Managing Director Dr Syed M Ehsanul Karim in the chair.
The SME Foundation is hosting the five-day fair that will remain open for all from 10am to 8pm till April 8.
A number of SMEs representing agriculture, agro-processing products, clothing, home textile, handicraft, leather, light engineering, foods, beverage, electrical and electronics, herbal and furniture sectors from across the country are participating in the fair.
