“We’ve not assumed office to do business…our government rather will continue to work to ensure all sorts of facilities for businesspeople to spur trade and commerce, industrialisation and woo more investment. Our government has been working to this end,” she said.
The Prime Minister was addressing a function after distributing the National Export Trophy for 2011-12 and 2012-13 to some 113 export organisations for the their significant role in overseas trade and thus earning foreign currency.
The awards were distributed at a programme jointly organised by the Ministry of Commerce and the Export Promotion Bureau (EPB) at Osmani Memorial Auditorium.
A total 52 export organisations received gold medals, 37 silver medals while 24 bronze medals for the fiscal years 2011-12 and 2012-13.
Sheikh Hasina said she always strongly advocates for having newer export markets across the globe as demands are increasing day by day in many countries throughout the world.
She said: “You’ll (exporters) have to find out which products have demand in which countries as well as diversify our export items.”
Citing that one of the major weaknesses of the country’s export business is dependent on some limited items, Hasina said her government has been continuing efforts to add newer items into the export basket alongside continuing efforts to boost export of those items which are now contributing less.
She emphasised raising the production and export of agro and agro-processed goods.
Hasina said more labour-intensive industries should be set up that may help the youth force to keep themselves away from the path of terrorism and militancy.
Referring to the successes over the years in the country’s export earnings, Hasina said this has been possible due to the hard work of industrial entrepreneurs and businesspeople, innovative power and business-friendly environment of her government.
The Prime Minister said the roadmap in each potential sector is being formulated in export development targeting the year 2041 while 21 commercial wings are now active, including two each in the USA and in India, for providing overall support in export activities and expanding trade.
She said the export earnings target by 2021 has been set at $ 60bn of which $ 50bn will come from the RMG sector. “I hope this target will be met with your sincere efforts.”
To expand trade and exhibit exportable items, Hasina said, Bangladesh-China Friendship Exhibition Centre is being built at Baushia in Munshiganj district with support from China.
Mentioning that her government has created a scope for opening Foreign Currency Accounts to facilitate the businessmen, she also asked all concerned to remain alert so that such accounts and currency could not be used for terrorism, militancy and money laundering.
Thursday, April 25, 2024
