BFTI limping with fund, manpower shortage

The Bangladesh Foreign Trade Institute (BFTI) could not perform at its desired level since its inception due to lack of some logistic supports, officials said.
They attributed this to shortage of manpower/ expertise and inadequate financial support.
Leaders of different trade bodies have suggested strengthening of BFTI activities. They called upon the government to give utmost importance to smooth functioning of the institute.
At present, the BFTI has around Tk 370 million 'endowment fund' for supporting its expenditure.
The existing manpower of the institute is about 12. But now only eight of them are discharging their duties as some are on leave abroad for educational purposes.
The BFTI is run by a 16-member board of directors.
The institute is a non-profit research and advisory body of the ministry of commerce.  
As per the existing provision, eight officials will be deputed to the BFTI from ministries/divisions while the rest will come from different trade bodies.
The Commerce Minister is the chairman of the BFTI board of directors.
The ex-officio Presidents of the Federation of Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FBCCI), Dhaka Chamber of Commerce and Industry (DCCI), Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MCCI), Dhaka, Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) and International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) Bangladesh are members of the board.   
"If we get Tk 100 million more, it will be possible for us to carry out our duties and research works smoothly," chief executive officer (CEO) of the BFTI Ali Ahmed told the FE.   
He, however, said the ministry of finance recently disbursed some funds to BFTI.  
The BFTI CEO said the institute has so far carried out a research on export capability of Bangladesh's vegetables and some others.
Besides, research work on 'export readiness' of Bangladesh's maize and analysis of gaps in export certification are going on, he added.  
"The BFTI needs some supports from the government and the trade bodies to strengthen its activities," president of the FBCCI Abdul Matlub Ahmad told the FE.
"The BFTI must interact with trade bodies for gearing up its activities and achieving its objectives," he said.  
Formed in 2003, the BFTI is a company having representatives from public and private sectors with the core aim to move the country's foreign trade forward in order to reach the government's Vision 2021.  
The institute was registered under the Companies Act 1994 in 2006. The ministry of commerce is 60 per cent owner of the BFTI while 40 per cent is owned by trade bodies.
The BFTI is working as a government 'think-tank' to assist/provide its valuable suggestions based on their research to the government and the trade bodies for development of the country's foreign trade.  
    talhabinhabib@yahoo.com