Removal of barriers to growth of agro-SMEs demanded

FE Team | Published: November 30, 2014 00:00:00 | Updated: November 30, 2026 06:01:00

Removal of various barriers to the growth of small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in the agro-processing sector of Bangladesh can facilitate earning of vast foreign exchange.
Owners of agro-SMEs at a divisional meeting organised by the Bangladesh Agro-Processors' Association (BAPA) under the auspices of the SME Competitiveness Grant Scheme with support from the European Union (EU) made the observation in Chittagong on Saturday, said a press release.
The meeting was organised to explore potentials and identify challenges in developing the agro-SMEs in Bangladesh.
They also observed that the growth of the sector can create employment opportunities for a large number of people in the country.   
The owners of agro-SMEs further demanded removal of barriers, including the tariff and non-tariff ones.
The SME Competitiveness Grant Scheme project is being implemented by BAPA under the contracting authority of the Ministry of Industries, the release added.
Vice-President of BAPA and CEO of Banoful and Company MA Motaleb presided over the Chittagong Divisional Meeting, while General Secretary of BAPA and member of the Project Management Team (PMT) Raju Ahmed was present as the chief guest.
Treasurer of BAPA and PMT member Iqtadul Hoque and Chief Technical Adviser (CTA) of the project Nurul Islam were present at the meeting as the special guests.
Managing Director of Meridian Foods Mostafa Kamal Pasha, among other entrepreneurs, attended the programme.
The SME owners pointed out that the rate of interest against loans for them was still high. They demanded its reduction to 5.0 per cent.
Stressing the need for subsidy from the government for the overall growth of the sector, they said that while exporting their products they have to face delay and hassles in Chittagong Port.
Moreover, the rates of tax and VAT (value-added tax) at the port are higher than that required for the air shipment from Dhaka.
Mr Motaleb suggested that the agro-SMEs can improve the quality of their products for better competitiveness under the market-oriented economy.
He said under the BAPA-EU project, the agro-SMEs and new entrepreneurs can avail training facilities for enhancing skills of their workforce and diversification of the agro-SME products to boost export demands and explore more markets at home and abroad.
Raju Ahmed said that the BAPA heard the problems of the agro-SMEs from this gathering and it would present those to the authorities concerned for solution.