Build labour-intensive industries: PM

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Sunday said the government wants to see labour-intensive industries in the country alongside inducting modern technology in the industrial sector, reports UNB.
"We want to induct modern technology in the industrial sector. We want to move forward and not backward. But the employment opportunities must not be destroyed," she said.
The prime minister said this while inaugurating the weeklong 11th National SME Product Fair to showcase locally products by small and medium enterprises at the Bangabandhu International Conference Center (BICC). It was jointly organised by the Industries Ministry and SME Foundation.
It is said that the fourth industrial revolution will be achieved digitally, she said.
"But we will need entrepreneurs and workforce for that," she said.
She mentioned that while taking steps all have to keep it in mind that labour intensive industries have to be set up in the country.
In this connection she instructed Industries Ministry and SME Foundation to look into the matter. "Because we have to provide our people with jobs, for that we have to give more attention to setting up labour intensive industries," she said.
Putting emphasis on creating new entrepreneurs she urged the youth not to run after jobs only after completing any course.
"Be entrepreneur to create jobs for others, you have to avail that capability," she said.
She mentioned about government's initiatives including startup programmes and separate budget for them.
She asked all SMEs to pay more attention to making their entities as hundred percent export oriented.
The prime minister said that she has already directed the Bangladesh missions abroad to intensify their economic diplomacy to find out the demands in their respective host countries to expand export items and markets.
"We can produce, we have skilled manpower, anyone can invest here and export the products," she said.
She said that the small entrepreneurs should be given more attention for advancing the country as they will be the giant one in the course of time.
The objective of the SME Product Fair is to promote, disseminate, sell, and the market expansion of products made by small and medium-scale entrepreneurs at local and international levels.
There will be initiatives to support small businesses. These include quality improvement programmes, policies to encourage collaboration between large companies and SMEs, and improved access to financing. The ministry also highlighted efforts to increase foreign participation in the fair to boost exports.
According to the organisers, the fair is exhibiting products from various sectors, like readymade garments, jute, handicrafts, leather goods, processed foods, light engineering, IT services, jewellery, and furniture.
Entrepreneurs from across Bangladesh are showcasing their traditional products.
Over 350 small and medium enterprises are taking part. About 60 percent of the enterprises of the fair are led by women entrepreneurs.
Industries Minister Nurul Majid Mahmud Humayun presided over the programme where Senior secretary of Industries Ministry Zakia Sultana, President of the Federation of Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FBCCI) Mahbubul Alam and chairperson of the SME Foundation Professor Dr Md Masudur Rahman also spoke.
A documentary on Industries Ministry and SME Foundation was screened at the programme.
On this occasion, the prime minister handed over the crest and certificate to 7 micro, small, medium and start-up entrepreneurs who have won the National SME Entrepreneurship Award 2023. Swapna Rani Sen expressed her feelings on behalf of the award recipients.