Labour-intensive industries key to our economic progress: Muktadir

Photo: collected

Industries Minister Khandakar Abdul Muktadir on Tuesday said labour-intensive manufacturing industries were key to Bangladesh’s economic progress, given its large population and limited land.

“Considering Bangladesh’s large population and limited land, the development of labour-intensive manufacturing industries is one of the most effective ways to achieve economic progress,” he said at an exchange of views with plot owners at the BSCIC Industrial Estate in Rajshahi.

The meeting was held at the conference room of the Bangladesh Small and Cottage Industries Corporation (BSCIC) regional office.

Muktadir said the government would prioritise industries capable of generating more jobs with relatively low capital investment.

He identified developing skilled human resources as a government priority, saying demand for trained workers would grow as manufacturing expanded.

Ensuring productive industries and a favourable business environment was essential to establishing a direct link between investment and employment, he said.

Small, cottage and medium enterprises could generate substantial employment, the minister said, adding that steps were being taken to facilitate access to loans on easier terms and improve market opportunities for such businesses.

He also stressed the need to shift from conventional education towards technical training that matches the requirements of manufacturing industries and service-sector businesses.

Entrepreneurs raise industrial estate problems

During the meeting, entrepreneurs raised concerns over gas and electricity supplies at Rajshahi BSCIC-1 and BSCIC-2.

They said the lack of a boundary wall around BSCIC-1 had left businesses vulnerable to theft and mugging and called for urgent deployment of security guards.

They also urged the minister to arrange loans on easier terms, address raw material-related VAT issues, improve drainage and roads, and establish a fire service station in the industrial area.

Muktadir said he hoped to take comprehensive initiatives and effective measures to resolve the problems facing the two industrial estates.

The meeting was moderated by Zafar Bayezid, regional director of the BSCIC regional office. Anawarul Azim, an industrial estate officer, presented an overview of the activities of the Rajshahi BSCIC Industrial Estate.

Rafiqul Islam, deputy general manager of the BSCIC district office in Rajshahi, chaired the meeting.

Abul Kalam Azad, a member of parliament, Rajshahi Chamber of Commerce and Industry President Hasen Ali, and social worker and entrepreneur Liakat Ali attended the event.