Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina said that the Awami League government has started working to develop the young generation as entrepreneurs. He said this at the opening ceremony of the 11th National Small and Medium Industries Product Fair at the Bangabandhu International Conference Center on Sunday (May 19) morning.
The Prime Minister said that it is not enough to produce products only. Along with product production, product marketing should also be looked at. He also said that the global economy is affecting Bangladesh. However, the government is working to control inflation. He said that 100 economic zones have been made in the industrial sector of the country. He said Bangladesh changed in 2009-23. Great progress has been made in each area. From there you have to move forward. Agricultural production should be increased. Along with that, industrialization should be done. Golden Bangladesh can be built only if people's enthusiasm can be used. SME entrepreneurs can invest in economic zones individually or jointly. If men and women can be entrepreneurship equally, the country will move forward quickly.
Sheikh Hasina said, after coming to power in 1996, I gave importance to agriculture and kept a separate budget. At that time, the first country was self-sufficient in food. 2009 came to power again and saw the country in food crisis. Here is a question of policy. Because, the day I said in Parliament that the country is self-sufficient in food. At that time, the former finance minister of the opposition party, Saifur Rahman, said that it is not good to be self-sufficient. Food aid will not be available if self-sufficient in food. Then I stood up and said, the people of the country will not go begging from anyone.
He said, the industry should be environment friendly. Proper waste management should be done. Don't harm the country by saving a small amount of money. The Prime Minister urged to ensure the working environment and safety of the workers.
At this time, the Prime Minister directed the Ministry of Industry to focus on labor intensive industries. So that more people get work. He said, even in the face of adversity, there should be a mentality of giving jobs without running after them. Women need to be more entrepreneurial. More opportunities should be created for them.
The Prime Minister said, 'After forming the government in 2009, we implemented the vision plan for 2010 to 2021. In the meantime we have received recommendations for transition from least developed countries to developing countries. We will be a developing country from 2026.'
He said, 'We should pay more attention to small entrepreneurs to take our country forward. Someday these small entrepreneurs will be big. They will benefit, the country will benefit.'
Sheikh Hasina said, 'various products are produced in different regions of the country. Opportunities should be created to market them within the country. The demand of own country is increasing. People's purchasing power is increasing. Along with meeting the needs of the country, opportunities for export should be created. Exports should be diversified. Besides, the market must be created within the country. A huge field of work has been created across the Padma. SME entrepreneurs can work there.'
Regarding the rights of the workers, he said, 'Improving the quality of life of the workers, seeing their opportunities, if you do these things, you can get more work from them.'
Urging to protect the environment in the expansion of industry, the head of government said, 'We should not be affected by the impact of climate. Industrial waste should be managed. While saving a little money, the environment should not be destroyed. We want industries to be built, but not to destroy the environment.'
He said, 'Corona epidemic, Russia-Ukraine war, Israel's attack on Palestine has now been added. As a result of these, the cost of imports has increased due to various crises. Commodity prices have also increased. We are trying to overcome that.'
The Prime Minister also said, 'I see 60 percent of the entrepreneurs here are women. I am very happy to see it. Because the country cannot be moved forward by leaving a large part of the country behind. You have to go with them. If both move forward in equal measure, the country will move forward. Men can also take the opportunity of SME loan by taking the initiative in the name of wife, mother. Because they will not get a loan in their own name at 4 percent interest. If you do it in the name of women, you will get it. I would say, men can take that chance if they want. Because we want small entrepreneurs to grow.
He said, 'If people's performance and enthusiasm can be used, they will be golden people. They are the ones who can build Sonar Bangla. We have already done 100 economic zones. We want not only foreign investment but domestic investment as well. Small entrepreneurs can work with space in the economic zone.'
Sheikh Hasina said, 'In 2001, I could not come to power because I did not give a guarantee for the sale of gas. I am the daughter of Bangabandhu, I cannot hand over the interests of the country to others. We plan to be in opposition. When we came to the government, we started implementing it. Bangladesh today has changed from 2009 to 2023. Changing Bangladesh. We have made great progress in various sectors including agriculture and industry. I have given importance to research in agriculture. Self-sufficient in food.'
He said, 'After 75, no government has taken steps to move the country forward. Rather delayed. After we came to power, there are no steps to create employment and entrepreneurs. Open the private sector. We provide opportunities for private enterprises in various sectors including banks, insurance, telecom, airlines. I have also given opportunities to the private sector in electricity. So that production increases and job opportunities are created for people. Not only should we produce, but also look at its proper marketing.'
Industries Minister Nurul Majid Mahmud Humayun presided over the event. Zakia Sultana, Senior Secretary of the Ministry of Industry, FBCCI President Mahbubul Alam, SME Foundation Chairman Prof. Masudur Rahman along with Ministers, State Ministers, Members of Parliament and government officials and related sector entrepreneurs were present on the occasion.
After the speech, the Prime Minister announced the opening of the National SME Product Fair-2024. Later, the Prime Minister visited the various stalls of the fair along with the guests.
7 small and medium entrepreneurs received the National SME Entrepreneurship Award-2023 in the event. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina handed over the prizes to the winners. Awardees are given cash prizes, trophies and certificates.
Bangladesh /SBT