Speakers at a seminar stressed the need for an effective association for micro, small and medium enterprises (MSME) sector for its sustainable development.
They said such an association of MSMEs and SMEs can play an important role in real development of the sector across the country.
The speakers said this at a seminar on 'SME development: Role of an effective SME Association' in the city Saturday.
The Bangladesh Bank (BB) and the Bangladesh Institute of Bank Management (BIBM) jointly organised the seminar.
BB governor Dr Atiur Rahman was present at the seminar as the chief guest where president of the Federation of Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce and Industries (FBCCI) Kazi Akram Uddin Ahmed and Deputy High Commissioner of India in Bangladesh Sandeep Chakravorty were present as special guests. Director General of BIBM Dr Taufic Ahmed Chowdhury presided over the programme.
Among others, Chairman of IamSME of India Rajive Chawla, president of IDEB AKMA Hamid, former president of DCCI, Md Sabur Khan, vice president of FBCCI, Helal Uddin and director general of CIRDAP, CECEEP Effendi were present at the seminar.
The central bank governor said the government has taken all possible steps for development of the SME sector of the country.
"We have strengthened our support to the MSMEs. Now an apex organisation of these can be the most effective tool for development of the sector," he added.
"The country has succeeded in facing the global economic meltdown as the country has always prioritised the development of SME sector."
"Private sector is the main driver of growth and in respect of Bangladesh, the MSMEs are the main contributor to growth of the vibrant economy. So their association is very much needed at this stage," Dr Atiur felt.
Mr Rajive Chawla in his keynote speech said vision for a developed country needs boosting of SME sector and in this regard, an association is very much relevant.
"We believe, we have to add value to each other. So this kind of value addition needs an association," he added.
"The association must be a solution-finding institution-not problem-raising one only. If the association works accordingly, then development of a nation will only be a matter of time," he added.
According to him, the Indian government took initiatives to place the country among 50 nations of the globe in SME development from the existing 142th position through developing associated SMEs.
"As Bangladeshi and Indian politicians, cultural activists, intellectuals and others share many issues among themselves, then why do the SMEs not share their experiences?"
"Only associated approach can lead to exchange of experiences of SMEs in both the sides," Mr Chawla added.
"I'm tempted to say that the experience of SMEs of India can be replicated in Bangladesh as India has a lot of success stories in such development," Mr Sandeep Chakravorty said.
Mr Chakravorty said India has a plan to set up a SME incubator in Bangladesh through which both the countries would be benefited.
The FBCCI president in his speech said business giants China and India have now emerged as global powers mostly because of SME development.
"These two countries were developed through utilisation of their young people. We have a large number of working age people and development of SMEs is the best way of utilising these young forces," he added.
The FBCCI president, however, urged the SME and the MSME sector players to work together through an association.
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