Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina said on Saturday initiatives were taken to speed up sustainable and environment-friendly industrialization in the country, reports BSS.
In a message on the occasion of the 'National Industrial Fair 2019', she said Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman dreamt of economic emancipation and prosperity of the Bangalee nation.
The Prime Minister said in 1956, when he was the Minister of Industries, Trade, Labor, Anti-Corruption and Village Aid Ministry of the then East Pakistan government, he took the first initiative to industrialise the country.
Under the aegis of Bangabandhu, the Bangladesh Small and Cottage Industries Corporation (BSCIC) was established and the development of small and cottage industries took place in the region, she added.
Bangladesh was moving forward towards prosperity following the path of the dreams of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, she said adding Bangladesh had already been recognised as a middle-income country owing to the government's relentless efforts.
"We have been working hard to turn the country into a middle income country by 2021 and a developed one by 2041," she added.
Initiatives were taken to strengthen the country's sustainable and environment-friendly industrialisation, Sheikh Hasina said adding it had resulted in a positive change in the industrial sector.
"In 2017-2018, the contribution of industrial sector to GDP rose to 33.71 per cent from only 17.77 per cent in 2007-08. To encourage the private sector in involving with the current initiative of sustainable industrialisation, the Ministry of Industries has been distributing the 'CIP (Industry) Award' since 2009 and the 'National Productivity and Quality Excellence Award' since 2012, she added.
The Prime Minister said, "I am happy to know that domestic products will be showcased at the 1st National Industrial Fair 2019. I believe this fair will play a positive role in inspiring, attracting and encouraging investors as well as promoting and expanding the market of the domestic products and services."
