‘More industries needed to bolster economy’

RAJSHAHI, Aug 23 (BSS): Speakers at a discussion here Sunday unequivocally called for more industries in the region for bolstering its economy coupled with improving the living and livelihood condition of people.
They viewed adequate industrialisation could be the effective means of more employment generation and the best uses of the surplus agricultural production.
To this end, they advocated for resolving the existing problems and obstacles so that an industrial environment is ensured that can encourage more investors from both home and abroad.
Rajshahi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (RCCI) organised the meeting in its seminar hall discussing ways and means on how to make the district improved through proper industrialisation.
More than 60 people representing various government and non-government organisations concerned and other stakeholders attended the meeting sharing their views on the issues.
With Md Muniruzzaman, President of RCCI, in the chair, BSCIC Regional Director Mourtoza Hossain Shah, silk industrialists Sadar Ali and Liakat Ali, authorised officer of RDA Abul Kalam Azad, RUET Professors Shamim and Mosharraf Hossain, DD (LG) Shawgatul Alam and Regional office-in-charge of PGCL Engineer Tofayel Ahmed spoke on the occasion as resource persons. The speakers said foreign investment towards agriculture and its processing sector in Rajshahi has become an urgent need for making the sector more value added and vibrant.
They viewed if the investment were enhanced substantially the agricultural coupled with ICT sector will fetch an unprecedented success for the region. Quick implementation of the proposed Hi-tech Park in Rajshahi could be the effective means of flourishing the agro-based economy.
They underscored the need for setting up agro-processing industries to ensure maximum utilisation of agricultural products. Establishment of agro-processing industries would encourage the farmers to grow more high valued products for their higher income. The discussants said prospects of agro-processing enterprises is bright in the region as it produces surplus crops especially food-grains, fruits and vegetables.
They focused on the agricultural potentials of the region with special emphasis on value added agro-processing opportunities and agro-based industries.
It could add to the industrialisation efforts of agro-based and agro-processing industry in the region for a sustainable and well-formed linkage of production, processing and marketing.
In his remark, RCCI President Muniruzzaman told the meeting that the present government of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina is very much positive towards establishing more industries here to lessen the pressure on  the capital.
So, the businessmen and others concerned should come forward towards the government endeavor whole-heartedly.