Md Nahian
The government has allocated $7.5 million for private enterprises involved with health equipment manufacturing as a COVID-19 response fund.
The fund would help private enterprises procure plant equipment and produce medical and personal protective equipment in the country.
Commerce Minister Tipu Munshi virtually launched the fund on Sunday called “COVID-19 Enterprise Response Fund or Window-4" initiated with the support of the World Bank.
Tipu Munshi said that the programme would not only benefit the local market, but also the entrepreneurs involved in exporting to foreign markets.
“This programme is a milestone in addressing the current corona situation. Through this, entrepreneurs involved in the production of personal protective equipment, diagnostic equipment and clinical equipment will receive investment assistance,” said Tipu Munshi.
Mercy Miyang Tembon, World Bank country director for Bangladesh and Bhutan, praised the government's swift action to address the COVID-19 situation.
Tembon also said that the World Bank also came forward in this regard.
She further said that 50 applications in the new programme to produce corona resistance will get priority.
Salman F Rahman, private industry and investment adviser to the Prime Minister, also spoke at the event as special guests while Md Jafar Uddin, senior secretary of the commerce ministry, presided over it.
