PM for research to boost SME sector
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina yesterday stressed the need for carrying out research on demand, production, and marketing to develop the small and medium enterprises (SMEs).
"Research is urgently needed. Through research, we can determine the demand, production and marketing of a product. We have to do it and we will do it," she said.
The PM was addressing a programme marking the inauguration of the 8th National SME Product Fair 2020 at the capital's Krishibid Institution Bangladesh.
The SME Foundation has organised the nine-day fair at Bangabandhu International Conference Centre to promote SME products and bring the local SMEs under a single roof.
Hasina said researchers have to find out the solution to meet the demand for raw materials of SMEs. "We have to ensure the source and supply of raw materials locally. We have to look for the method to produce all these raw materials in our country."
She said the demand for products is the other thing which should be given importance during the research work. "We have to understand the demand of buyers. We have to find which products they want and from which areas."
The PM said the government was taking up various initiatives to increase the people's purchase capacity aiming to expand the domestic market for local products.
Hasina said highest importance should be given to the food processing industries.
"Because, the demand for food will surely increase in the world. On the other hand, the more economic solvency will be achieved by the people, the demand for processed foods and nutrition enriched foods would grow further. So, we have to focus on this sector."
The PM said many SME products were of world standard and the cultural heritage of the country was also associated with those.
She hoped that Bangladesh would be able to keep pace with the 4th Industrial Revolution by ensuring better coordination among the digital, biological and physical innovations.
Hasina said educated youths get employed through the SME Foundation and thereby poverty is reduced which in turn ensures prosperity of the country.
She said the government was developing youths as skilled and trained manpower and none could term Bangladesh a country of cheap labours any more.
The PM urged the youths not to look for jobs. She said they should rather start doing business taking loans from banks.
Chairman of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on the Ministry of Industries Amir Hossain Amu, Industries Secretary Abdul Halim and SME Foundation MD Safiqul Islam, among others, spoke at the programme, chaired by Industries Minister Nurul Majid Mahmud Humayun.
Hasina handed the National SME Entrepreneurs Award-2020 to two female and three male entrepreneurs. Each winner received Tk 100,000, a trophy, and a certificate.
A total of 296 SME entrepreneurs, including 195 women, are exhibiting their products at the fair, which will remain open to visitors from 10:00am to 8:00pm every day until March 12. There is no entry fee.
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