2000mw addl electricity by next year: Muhith

---

FE Report
The government will offer a stimulus package of $1.0 billion (Tk 100 crore) for the small and medium entrepreneurs to diversify and explore new markets around the globe.
"The government is providing little support for market diversification and in this regard it will give a package worth $1.0 billion for the small and medium entrepreneurs," Finance Minister AMA Muhith said on Thursday.
These entrepreneurs will be kept put of the bonded warehouse facility and they will enjoy all the facilities entitled to them until June 30 next year, the minister added.
Mr Muhith was speaking at the opening ceremony of the 21st Bangladesh Apparel and Textile Exposition Batexpo-2010 at Bangabandhu International Conference Centre in the city.
Quoting the electricity crisis, the minister said Bangladesh will get 2000MW power more by 2011.
The three-day annual apparel export fair has been organized by Bangladesh Garments Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA)-the apex trade body that accounts for the largest share of export-earning for the country.
Shipping Minister Shajahan Khan, Commerce Minister Muhammad Faruk Khan, Labour and Employment Minister Khandaker Mosharraf Hossain, LGRD Minister Syed Ashraful Islam and Textile and Jute Minister Abdul Latif Siddique, were present at the inaugural ceremony.
Earlier, BGMEA president Abdus Salam Murshedy drew the government's attention to the cent per cent disbursement of the declared stimulus package for smooth implementation of the recently declared wage for the workers.
"The government should implement its announced package as early as possible as it becomes a big challenge for 60-65 per cent small and medium entrepreneurs to implement the new wage structure," Mr Murshedy said.
The garment industry leaders are expecting better and more positive responses from foreign buyers from this year's display.
Bangladesh exported knitwear worth $ 2.88 billion in the first four months of the current fiscal year, 29.63 per cent higher than the export goal and 37.97 percent higher than the corresponding period of last fiscal year.
Woven garment worth $ 2.34 billion were exported in this period, 13.70 per cent higher than the target and 39.45 per cent higher than last year's export during this period.
There are 137 stalls from 87 companies including Bangladesh, India, Pakistan, China, Hong Kong, Japan, Thailand and Brazil in the fair.
BSS adds: Muhith said the country did not have market diversity, but now it has attained diversity in export market with the offering of small incentives to garment entrepreneurs. "More has to be done for them in this regard," he opined.
Although apparel sector does not pay much to the national exchequer, it created a large number of jobs and made people self- reliant, he said, adding the government provides support for it for this reason.
The country could overcome global recession successfully, he said mentioning that during last financial year (2009-10), export rose by 4 pc. "The growth rate might be low, but it maintained growth," he said.
Appreciating BGMEA for its social responsibility, he said an industry after making growth play many roles, and BGMEA also did it.
"When food prices went up, I wanted BGMEA to supply rice to garment workers at a government subsidized price, and I believe the association would do it," he said.
He said the demand of the industry for power generators and dormitory is under government's consideration. Besides, a decision for withdrawal of 15 percent VAT on house rent of RMG factories would be taken next year.
Abdul Latif Siddiqui said the government of Sheikh Hasina made necessary arrangements for captive power generators and offered stimulus packages for RMG owners.
He urged the entrepreneurs for remaining alert so that their units do not become sick, as it would be a burden on the economy. Labourers are the main force, he said urging the entrepreneurs for maintaining a sound relation with them.
Syed Ashraful Islam said through this exposition, trade in the RMG sector would be expanded.
Commerce Minister Muhammad Faruk Khan and Shipping Minister Shajahan Khan also spoke at the function.
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina now abroad was supposed to inaugurate the gala show. Finance Minister AMA inaugurated the BATEXPO 2010 on her behalf.
Shipping Minister Shajahan Khan offered the garment exporters to use the Mongla port at concessional rate. "If you use Mongla port, we will reduce the port charges for you," he said.
He assured that special ferry service would be arranged for the garment cargoes to reach them speedily to the Mongla port.
"At present you need 15 hours to send containers from Dhaka to Chittagong through rail. Let me assure you that it will take only eight hours to send your containers from Dhaka to Mongla port," he said.
Regarding the charges at Chittagong port the Minister indicated to a good news by next month.