Industries Minister Nurul Majid Muhammad Humayun has said the government has taken massive preparations to introduce products produced by Small and Medium Entrepreneurs (SMEs) to the global market on a large scale.
“The government is working to arrange necessary training to create skilled manpower and to produce brand products to expand the market globally,” the minister while addressing a virtual event celebrating International MSME Day-2021 as chief guest on Sunday.
He also emphasized on regular fund allocation to implement pro-SME initiatives to get hold of the global market.
Speakers at the event said SMEs in Bangladesh have been producing various products with all out cooperation of SME Foundation, playing a significance role in the country’s economy amid the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic.
The event was organised by SME Foundation (SMEF) and UNIDO.
Meanwhile, State Minister for Industries Kamal Ahmed Majumder, who was the special guest at the event, said the government has plans to enhance the contribution of SMEs to the economy from 25 per cent to 32 per cent by 2024.
The activities of some 78.13 lakh SMEs will assist the government in achieving its visions, including 2041, he said.
State Minister for Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Zunaid Ahmed Palak said the SME sector is now being considered as the effective wheel of the economy.
“We have plans to work with the SME Foundation to create more entrepreneurs to ensure digital services across the country,” he said.
SME Foundation Chairperson Professor Dr Masudur Rahman, as the president of the event, said the foundation has been working to ensure skill development for the SMEs, along with funding and market expansion as directed by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.
The SMEF distributed Tk 100 crore for second term in stimulus package programmes for SMEs to help them recover from the impact of Covid-19 pandemic, he said.
UNIDO's Regional Representative for South Asia Van Barrel Rene said GDP groups of Bangladesh were doing good as the SME sector performed comparatively better during the pandemic.
Meanwhile, SME Foundation Managing Director Md Mofizur Rahman, Youth and Sports Ministry Senior Secretary Md Akhter Hossain, Industries Ministry Secretary Zakia Sultana, and FBCCI President Md Jashim Uddin, among others, also addressed the event.
