Officials and business community leaders stressed on exploring potentials of the small and medium enterprise (SME) sector to create job opportunities for boosting uplift and faster economic growth.
They also emphasised the need for further easing the process of allocating SME loans at single digit interest rates and skill development of local entrepreneurs to flourish the sector and ensure production of international standard SME products.
They made the observation at a post-rally discussion held as part of the launching ceremony of a seven-day regional SME product fair in Rangpur city on Monday, reports BSS.
Organised by the SME Foundation, Rangpur Regional SME Product Fair-2019 is being held with assistance of the district administration, Rangpur Chamber of Commerce and Industry (RCCI), Rangpur Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce and Industry (RMCCI), Rangpur Women Chamber of Commerce and Industry (RWCCI), Bangla-desh Small and Cottage Industries Corporation (BSCIC), National Associa-tion of Small and Cottage Industries Bangladesh (NASIB) and other SME-related organisations.
The main objective of arranging the fair is to promote the local SME sector and create jobs, enhance production of international standard SME products, exhibition and introduction of SME goods for expanding business, trade and commerce.
Divisional Director (Local Government) Md. Zakir Hossain launched the fair as the chief guest by cutting ribbon and releasing balloons at the inaugural ceremony with Deputy Commissioner Enamul Habib in the chair.
Additional DIG for Rangpur Range Police Md. Mazid Ali, Deputy Director (Local Government) Ruhul Amin Mian, RCCI President Mostafa Sohrab Chowdhury Titu, RMCCI President Rezaul Islam Milon, President of the district unit of Awami League Mamtaz Uddin Ahmed and its Office Secretary Tauhidur Rahman Tutul were present as special guests and spoke.
Deputy General Manager of BSCIC for Rangpur AFM Jalal Uddin delivered welcome speech narrating the importance, goals and objectives of arranging the fair.
A total of 69 SME institutions from all over the country, including Rangpur division, women entrepreneurs, RCCI, RMCCI and RWCCI, have set up stalls at the venue of the fair on the Public Library ground.
A big spectrum of locally-produced SME goods like leather and jute-made products, handicrafts, processed agricultural products, electrical and electronic goods, clothes, design and fashion items and other products are being exhibited and sold at the fair.
The speakers put special importance on promoting the local SME sector involving more female entrepreneurs to create job opportunities for unemployed youths for accelerating the pace of national development, economic growth and poverty alleviation.
