"Non-market-oriented international trade mechanisms like technical information services, training on LEI technology and technology transfer, and market-oriented mechanisms like joint ventures, subcontracting, production sharing and expert services are needed for developing the local and export markets of LEIs products," said a key recommendation made from the deliberations of the participants in the seminar.

The seminar and views exchange meeting on "International Trade of Light Engineering Products" was organised by the Export Promotion Bureau (EPB) and Business Promotion Council (BPC) under the commerce ministry in Dhaka on Thursday.

The speakers also stressed the need for seeking international financing, creating conducive infrastructure, material testing and heat treatment facilities, easy access to market information, and strengthening research and development, and skills and links with support institutions for flourishing the sector.

Vice-president of EPB Mir Shahabuddin Ahamed, DG of EPB Mostafa Mohiuddin, Coordinator of BPC Golam Hossain, Managing Director of Janata Machine Tools Ltd Omor Faruk, among others, addressed the seminar.

Prof M Kamal Uddin of Institute of Appropriate Technology of the BUET presented the keynote in the seminar while entrepreneurs of the LEIs and officials of financial institutions participated.

Mir Shahabuddin said EPB could help the LEI entrepreneurs participate in international conferences, workshops, industrial fairs and exhibitions.

He informed that US$126 million was earned in FY 2004-05 from the sector, including exporting bicycles.

Kamal Uddin said, "Implementation of appropriate policies & strategies is a prerequisite to harness sustainable competitiveness of LEIs".

He said entrepreneurs of LEIs have to be fully aware of the competitive challenges they have to face to expand their exports.

Omor Faruk said, "we are producing spare parts of paper & cement mills as subcontractor of a French company, which is exporting these products to Canada, Kuwait, Malaysia and the Philippines."

The export earnings from the country's light engineering industries increased by 103 percent in the last fiscal compared to previous year despite limitations in quality machinery as well as products.

Bicycle, motor parts, iron chain and machinery are the major export items in this sector.