Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina presents the national export trophy to KDS Group Chairman Khalilur Rahman at Osmani Memorial Auditorium in Dhaka yesterday. Commerce Minister Faruk Khan is also seen. Photo: KDSNotice: Undefined index: pageID in /var/www/archive/newDesign/print_news.php on line 301
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina yesterday stressed the need for political stability and continuation of government policy for economic development.
“We need political stability and continuation of government policy for the economic development of the country,” she said addressing the national export trophy distribution ceremony at Osmani Memorial Auditorium in Dhaka.
The premier deplored that the country had never got political stability since its independence. “Sometimes we got elected government, sometimes military dictator, sometimes an autocratic government, sometimes experienced minus-two formula and some other formulas.”
Hasina said the impact of the non-elected governments affected the country's economic growth and also the trade, export and business.
Hasina underscored a “specific policy” for the economic sector of the country and also its continuation no matter which government comes.
She noted that due to political instability the country had to suffer from a lack of electricity, gas, infrastructure and other related issues that hampered the growth of trade, export and business. “As a result, the country kept lagging behind."
Hasina believes trade and business are the driving force for socioeconomic development. Due to the speedy expansion of globalisation and free market economy, there are vast changes going on in global trade. It is important to make the economic development of the country more dynamic and diversified to compete on the fast-changing and competitive market.
"It is necessary to diversify the country's exports," she said, adding that it is the responsibility of entrepreneurs and businesses to produce and export products.
"The government is acting as the helping force," she said. The government has formulated the import and export policy keeping in mind the tricks of trade.
Hasina told her business audience that there is no alternative to improving the quality of export items to enhance the export volume. That's why her government has taken steps to set up labour-intensive industries, encourage foreign investment and train up the labourers to enhance their skill.
"Besides, we are giving various incentives for diversification of exports and encouraging this."
She said local products have huge potentiality abroad. To get success on the present competitive market it is necessary to do hard work with enthusiasm and maintain the time schedule.
She asked the businesses to explore new markets. Industrialisation and export are supplementary.
Industrialisation is extremely needed to increase the exports, and Bangladesh is a country of huge potential for this purpose. "The great advantage of ours is the very cheap labour force."
In keeping with the present trading system, she said, exporters should increase their skill in using modern technology alongside minimising their costing.
In this regard, the government is committed to ensuring optimum utilisation of e-commerce and modern know-how.
Hasina told the function that her government has taken extensive efforts to increase the production of power and energy for smooth run of industries in the country.
"But you have to wait some time to get the facilities as these cannot be produced overnight."
She blamed the previous BNP-led alliance government for leaving the power and energy sector in a deplorable condition.
Hasina said after assuming office the present government added 530MW power to the national grid and has a plan to generate additional 7000MW by 2014.
The government is working hard to utilise the potentialities of the country in the economic sector. "We are working for liberal and control-free investment environment," she said.
Her government has taken steps to ensure private-sector-driven economy and for that the government is taking steps to provide infrastructural and institutional facilities, she added. "Steps have been taken to increase regional export-import and human resource development."
Commerce Minister Faruk Khan, acting Commerce Secretary M Golam Hossain, President of Federation of Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce and Industry Annisul Huq and Export Promotion Bureau Vice President Sahabullah, were also present.
Later, the prime minister distributed 33 gold trophies, 15 silver and 11 bronze trophies to the winners for 2005-06, 2006-07 and 2007-08.
The gold trophies went to readymade garment (RMG), knitwear, frozen foods, jute goods, leather (crust/finished), leather goods, footwear, tea, melamine/plastic product, ceramic, other industrialised products, and pharmaceutical sectors.
Silver trophies were earned by RMG, knitwear, frozen foods, jute goods, and leather (crust/finished) sectors.
Bronze went to RMG, knitwear, frozen foods, jute goods, and leather (crust/finished) sectors.
