Industrial development is path to country’s economic progress: Muktadir

Industries Minister Khandakar Abdul Muktadir has said industrial development is the path to economic progress of the country.

“In the reality of Bangladesh’s large population and limited land, the development of labour-intensive manufacturing industries is one of the most effective ways for the country’s economic progress,” he said while exchanging views with the plot owners of the BSCIC Industrial Estate on Tuesday in the conference room of the Rajshahi BSCIC Regional Office.

The minister said the government will give priority in the future to industrial sectors that can create more jobs with low capital investment.

Mentioning that creating skilled human resources is one of the government’s priorities, he said, “The more the scope of manufacturing industries increases in the country, the more the demand for skilled and trained manpower will increase.”

The minister said that to establish a direct link between investment and employment, it is essential to ensure a productive sector and a favourable environment.

To create sustainable employment, small, cottage and medium enterprises can create the most employment in the country. Therefore, steps are being taken to ensure easy-term loans and market facilities for these institutions, he added.

He said that instead of traditional or conventional education, young people need to be given technical training and their skills need to be enhanced in line with the demands of industrial factories and the service-oriented sector.

The exchange-of-views meeting was moderated by Zafar Bayezid, regional director of the BSCIC Regional Office. Anawarul Azim, officer of the Industrial Estate, made a brief presentation on the activities of BSCIC Industrial Estate, Rajshahi.

The meeting was presided over by Rafiqul Islam, deputy general manager, BSCIC District Office, Rajshahi.

Other guests present were Abul Kalam Azad, MP, President of Rajshahi Chamber of Commerce and Industry Hasen Ali, and social worker and entrepreneur Liakat Ali.

The speakers included Shakilur Rahman Shakil, plot owner and entrepreneur of Rajshahi BSCIC-1 and BSCIC-2, freedom fighter Abdul Malek and businessmen Akhtaruzzaman, Kamrunnahar, Abdul Gani, Ziaur Rahman, Shamshul Alam, Abdus Sattar Karim, Rafiq Hasan, Ashraful Islam, Saifuzzaman Jacky and others.

They raised the issues of gas and electricity in Rajshahi BSCIC-1 and BSCIC-2 before the minister.

They said that due to the absence of a boundary wall around Rajshahi BSCIC-1, they have to live in insecurity. Theft and mugging are taking place. They said there is an urgent need for security guards.

The speakers also appealed to the minister for arrangement of loans on easy terms and for stopping raw VAT. 

They requested drainage facilities, road surfacing and a fire service station in the BSCIC area.

At the end, the minister expressed the hope that he would take overall initiatives and effective steps to solve the problems of Rajshahi BSCIC-1 and BSCIC-2.