Focus on more investment in SMEs

RAJSHAHI, Jan 17 (BSS): Terming the Small and Medium Enterprise (SME) as root foundation of country's economy, speakers at a seminar laid emphasis on the need for more investment to this sector taking the region forward.
They came up with the observation at the seminar styled 'Flourishing of SME Entrepreneurship in Rajshahi: Hindrance and Prospects' at Rajshahi Collegiate School playground in the city on Tuesday.
District administration and SME Foundation jointly organised the seminar as part of the ongoing week-long Regional SME Products Fair- 2018 there.
Professor Abdul Wadud from Department of Economics at Rajshahi University was the keynote speaker at the seminar.
With Additional Deputy Commissioner Md Shalahuddin in the chair, Regional Director of BSCIC Engineer Ajhar Uddin, President of Bangladesh Silk Industries Owners Association Liakat Ali and Deputy General Manager of Bangladesh Bank Sheikh Halim Uddin addressed the seminar as resource persons.
Moderated by Divisional director of Bangladesh Investment Development Authority Ataul Gani, the seminar was also addressed by local unit president of Women Entrepreneurs Association of Bangladesh Anzuman Ara Begum and local unit President of Bangladesh Women Chamber of Commerce and Industry Zonaki Matin.
Prof Wadud said successful promotion of SME could be the effective means of alleviating poverty, generating employment and accelerating economic growth in the region.
He said employment generation and labor-intensive industrialisation could be possible through proper investment in establishment and expansion of SMEs to attain sustainable economic development.
Explaining various aspects of SMEs for the region's economic development, Wadud said the government has taken different initiatives for SME development including need based training and information technology.