FE REPORT
Commerce Adviser Sk Bashir Uddin has stressed the need to strengthen domestic production capacity in agriculture technology, automobiles, and light engineering to explore alternative export sectors beyond ready-made garments (RMG).
"Bangladesh assembles around 400,000 to 500,000 motorcycles annually. But regrettably, we cannot yet manufacture an engine. Our entrepreneurs should move from mere assembling to engine production," he said.
The commerce adviser made the remarks at the closing ceremony of a two-day exhibition titled 'Automobiles and Agro-Machinery Fair 2025 -- Road to Made in Bangladesh,' held at the Bangladesh Chamber of Industries (BCI) office in Dhaka on Sunday.
Organised by the BCI, the fair took place on the rooftop of Edison Prime Bhaban in the Tejgaon Industrial Area, where the BCI office is located.
Speaking as the chief guest, the commerce adviser also noted that, aside from the RMG sector, Bangladesh has made little progress in other industries.
"Although we enjoy tariff- and duty-free trade opportunities, the country has largely failed to diversify exports beyond the RMG sector," he said.
Hossain Zillur Rahman, executive chairman of the Power and Participation Research Centre, was present as the guest of honour, while BCI President Anwar-ul Alam Chowdhury (Parvez) delivered the welcome address.
Dr. Mohammad Emdad Ullah Mian, Secretary of the Ministry of Agriculture; former FBCCI president AK Azad; and Dhaka Chamber of Commerce and Industry (DCCI) president Taskeen Ahmed attended the event as special guests.
Speaking at the programme, Hossain Zillur Rahman underscored the need to identify new drivers of economic growth beyond ready-made garments and remittances.
"For 30 years, Bangladesh's growth has relied on ready-made garments and remittances. Now, we need to identify new engines of economic growth," he said.
He identified three sectors as future growth drivers: agriculture, SMEs, and technology, particularly IT. "In the coming years, agriculture will play a major role, SMEs will be the second growth driver, and technology will emerge as the third."
Dr. Mohammad Emdad Ullah Mian said that agricultural mechanisation in the country remains largely import-dependent.
He noted that the government has taken several initiatives to modernise and mechanise the agricultural sector and is working to further strengthen the agro-economy.
Former FBCCI president AK Azad pointed out that private investment is slowing down, while employment, particularly among the educated, is increasing.
Azad also highlighted the need to facilitate access to finance for CMSMEs, noting that their non-performing loans remain very low.
sajibur@gmail.com
