Thirteen companies received gold medals for their export performances in 2001-02, 10 in 2000-01, 13 in 1999-2000 and 11 in 1998-99.

Companies that received trophies in 2001-02 are the Civil Engineers Ltd in the readymade garment sector; RA Dyeing and Printing Industries (Pvt) Ltd in hosiery, specialised garments and knitwear products; International Shrimps Exports (Pvt) Ltd in the frozen food; AK Jute Trading Co in raw jute; Janata Jute Mills Ltd in jute goods; MM Ispahani Ltd in tea; BT Creation in handicrafts; British American Tobacco Bangladesh Company Ltd in agro-based; Apex Tannery Ltd in leather processing, Picard Bangladesh Ltd in leather goods; Agricultural Marketing Co Ltd in agro-processing; Alif International in industrial products and Crown Enterprise in others items.

The companies that won gold medals in the 2000-01 fiscal included Pacific Jeans Ltd, Shamim Composite Mills Ltd, Delta Fish Ltd, Janata Jute Mills Ltd, James Finlay Ltd, British American Tobacco Bangladesh Company Ltd, Shinepukur Ceramics Ltd, Apex Tannery Ltd, Lalmai Footwear Ltd and Bengal Plastic Industries Ltd.

The companies that got gold medals in the 1999-2000 financial are Opex Fashion Ltd, KDS Garments Industries Ltd, Delta Fish Ltd, FR Jute Trading Co Ltd, Janata Jute Mills Ltd, Conexpo, British American Tobacco Bangladesh Company Ltd, Monnu Ceramic Industries Ltd, Dhaka Hide and Skins Ltd, Picard Bangladesh Ltd, Thaipoly Shaown (Bangladesh) Ltd, Beximco Pharmaceuticals Ltd and Fexinco.

The gold medal winners for the 1998-99 fiscal are Pacific Jeans Ltd, Rahima Aziz Knitspin Ltd, Chabi Fish Processing Industries Ltd, AK Jute Trading Co, Mico Jute and Bag Corporation, Core-the Jute Works, Mansur General Trading Company, Bay Tanneries Ltd, Apex Footwear Ltd, Beximco Pharmaceuticals Ltd and Fexinco.

Commerce Minister Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury, Commerce Ministry Advisor Barkat Ulla Bulu, Commerce Secretary Suhel Ahmed Chowdhury and EPB Vice-president Habib Abu Ibrahim also spoke at the function.

Speaking at the ceremony, the commerce minister said the government can create congenial atmosphere for businessmen and provide policy supports to them, but their duty is to go ahead with the success.

Khosru said the government has established Foreign Trade Institute, where both public and private sector people participated in its formation, for building capacity for government officials and businessmen.

"Any businessmen intended to go abroad can get training in any subject from this institute," the commerce minister said.

Commerce ministry advisor Bulu urged businesspeople to ensure the quality of the products before export. "You, the exporters, have the responsibility to improve the country's image abroad," he added.

The commerce secretary said the country saw nine per cent increased growth in exports during 2002-03 over the previous year.

He said this year the export target has been fixed at $7439 million.