"We also want to see Bangladesh emerging as a middle income country from its LDC status by 2021, when the country will celebrate its golden jubilee of independence," Khaleda said at a function to hand over 'DCCI Business Award 2005' at Bangladesh-China Friendship Conference Centre in Dhaka.

Finance Minister M Saifur Rahman, Commerce Minister Altaf Hossain Choudhury, Industries Minister Matiur Rahman Nizami, President of the Federation of Bangladesh Chambers of Comm-erce and Industry Mir Nasir Hossain and DCCI President Sayeeful Islam also spoke at the award giving ceremony.

The Dhaka Chamber of Commerce and Industry (DCCI) at the function awarded nine small and medium business entrepreneurs for their contribution to the development of small and medium enterprises (SMEs).

The DCCI selected the entrepreneurs from across the country in three categories -- best innovative entrepreneur, best woman entrepreneur and best young entrepreneur.

Zinet Fatema, proprietor of Jahan Metal, was recognised as the best innovative entrepreneur while Anupama Mitra, chief executive of Agrani Mohila Unnayan Sangstha, and Selim Hossian, chairman of Euro-Asia Food Processing Bangladesh Ltd, were given best women entrepreneur and best young entrepreneur award respectively.

Khaleda said the government has identified small and medium industries as a thrust sector and formulated a SME advisory panel and SME cell following the suggestions forwarded by the SME Taskforce.

She told of her government's steps in developing SME sector, which included establishing export processing zones in different areas of the country, assistance to enhance product quality and marketing facility.

"We have also fixed up necessary principles and strategy to flourish this sector and complete policy guidelines will be formulated in due time," she said.

Mentioning the present government's various investment-friendly packages and incentives, Finance Minister Saifur Rahman said, "Despite some political disturbances, foreign investors are investing in the sector due to the government's solid and strong policy."

Itemad-Ud-Doulah, managing director of Dipta Orchids Ltd, Rina Raman, proprietor of Orchadia, and Syed Ali Afzal Al Qureshi of Green Land Enterprise were selected as the second best innovative, woman and young entrepreneurs respectively.

The other award winners are Rashedul Karim Munna, managing director of Creation Private Ltd, Kona Reza, CEO of Paan Supari, and Shamim Ahsan, managing director of e-Generation Com Ltd.