PM instructs TCB to import sugar, pulses
Monday, 13 April 2009
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina Sunday directed the Industries Ministry to import sugar and pulses through Trading Corporation of Bangladesh (TCB) for making those available to people at lower prices, report agencies.
She also directed the concerned authorities to import unrefined sugar for the country's sugar mills, and asked the Industries Ministry to take steps for immediate reopening of Khulna Newsprint Mill (KNM) and Chittagong Chemical Complex (CCC).
The Prime Minister further directed to convert Bangladesh Standard and Testing Institute (BSTI) into an international standard monitoring body.
The directives came from the Prime Minister during a meeting with Industries Minister Dilip Barua and other top officials of the Ministry at Shilpa Bhaban in the morning.
She said it is urgently needed to reopen all the closed mills and factories to make Bangladesh self-dependent in all respects.
The Prime Minister said she does not want to see Bangladesh as an import-based country in future. "Everything will be produced here to meet demands of the people."
Terming the decision of bringing down workers' working period from 60 years to 57 years as unrealistic, Sheikh Hasina said: "I don't see any logic behind the decision." She directed the Industries Minister to re-fix 60 years as the workers' length of service.
Unveiling her government's plan, Hasina said the government would modernise Mongla port through necessary dredging, and neighbouring country Nepal will also be able to use the port, which will give Bangladesh financial benefit.
Emphasising public-private initiative, the Prime Minister said the public sector and the private sector should work together to ensure a vibrant and smooth economy for Bangladesh.
She said: "Ours is an agro-based economy. If an agricultural country tries, it also can be an industrial country. Japan is a big example for us. Like Japan, we also have lot of opportunities to make our country industrially developed."
She also directed the concerned authorities to import unrefined sugar for the country's sugar mills, and asked the Industries Ministry to take steps for immediate reopening of Khulna Newsprint Mill (KNM) and Chittagong Chemical Complex (CCC).
The Prime Minister further directed to convert Bangladesh Standard and Testing Institute (BSTI) into an international standard monitoring body.
The directives came from the Prime Minister during a meeting with Industries Minister Dilip Barua and other top officials of the Ministry at Shilpa Bhaban in the morning.
She said it is urgently needed to reopen all the closed mills and factories to make Bangladesh self-dependent in all respects.
The Prime Minister said she does not want to see Bangladesh as an import-based country in future. "Everything will be produced here to meet demands of the people."
Terming the decision of bringing down workers' working period from 60 years to 57 years as unrealistic, Sheikh Hasina said: "I don't see any logic behind the decision." She directed the Industries Minister to re-fix 60 years as the workers' length of service.
Unveiling her government's plan, Hasina said the government would modernise Mongla port through necessary dredging, and neighbouring country Nepal will also be able to use the port, which will give Bangladesh financial benefit.
Emphasising public-private initiative, the Prime Minister said the public sector and the private sector should work together to ensure a vibrant and smooth economy for Bangladesh.
She said: "Ours is an agro-based economy. If an agricultural country tries, it also can be an industrial country. Japan is a big example for us. Like Japan, we also have lot of opportunities to make our country industrially developed."