News Desk :
Speakers at a participatory discussion unequivocally called for giving top priority on inclusion of the Rajshahi’s potential sectors in the upcoming national industrial policy for flourishing industrial sector in the region.
Optimum industrialization in the region has become indispensable because it’s the precondition for generating employment opportunities besides socio-economic development.
There should be special incentives for the entrepreneurs who are interested to set up industries here.
The discussants came up with the proposals while taking part in open discussion of a stakeholders consultation workshop titled “National Industrial Policy-2021” hosted by the Ministry of Industries at the conference hall of Deputy Commissioner (DC) in Rajshahi today, reports BSS.
Commissioner of Rajshahi division Dr Humayun Kabir addressed the meeting as chief guest, while Chief Executive Officer of Rajshahi City Corporation Dr Sharif Uddin spoke as special guest with DC Abdul Jalil in the chair.
Senior Assistant Secretary of the industries ministry Salim Ullah gave an illustration of the proposed policy during his multimedia presentation, while Additional Secretary of the ministry Selim Uddin moderated the discussion.
They told the meeting that the upcoming industrial policy will set a target to increase the industrial sector’s economic contribution from the existing 35 per cent to 40 percent of the country’s gross domestic product.
There is no alternative to creating skilled human resources in the industrial sector to build an industrialised country.
The new policy is expected to focus on the IT sector in order to help industries improve their efficiency and productivity.
Ever since the country achieved independence, a total of nine national industrial policies have been formulated with the latest coming in 2016.
Additional Secretary Selim Uddin said the upcoming policy, which will be valid until 2025, will give priority to the small and medium enterprises in order to generate huge employment opportunities and ensure higher growth.
As a whole, the policy is aimed at achieving the target of gross domestic product and generating employment through coordination between private and public efforts.
The government also looks to reduce poverty and unemployment by taking the advantages of the information technology-based fourth industrial revolution, he added.
In his remarks, Dr Humayun Kabir said the highest emphasis has to be given on skills development in the upcoming industrial policy in order to prepare for the fourth industrial revolution.
In order to increase productivity in the industrial sector, it is necessary to involve more people by increasing the use of modern technology and creating skilled human resources, he added.
