Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Sunday asked all concerned to produce products that meet the global standards to enlarge the country’s export basket.
 
“All need to focus on producing the products of international standards,” she said while inaugurating weeklong Ninth National SME Product Fair 2021 at Bangabandhu International Conference Center.
 
The Prime Minister joined the programme from her official residence Ganobhaban.
 
She emphasized producing products with local raw materials which will be beneficial for the country as well as its agriculture and industrialisation.
 
“This will help create entrepreneurs as well as improve the competitive edge of products,” she said.
 
The Prime Minister said the government is giving importance to agriculture- and food-processing industries as the demand for these items are constantly increasing across the world.
 
Saving Arable Lands   
 
Discouraging indiscriminate establishment of industries, Hasina said the government wants to save agricultural lands for more food production.
 
“The demand for food items will never decline; it’ll go up for sure. Amid the Covid-19 pandemic, the demand for food has increased. I know many developed countries are suffering from food shortage,” she said.
 
Encouraging Entrepreneurs
 
Hasina said the government is extending all-out support for increasing the number of entrepreneurs in Bangladesh.
 
“Anyone can be an entrepreneur if one wants to. I urge the youth to be entrepreneurs instead of running after jobs. After education, don’t look for jobs, let's be entrepreneurs yourselves. We’re taking all sorts of steps to create new entrepreneurs,” she said.

The Prime Minister urged entrepreneurs to consider the demand of the world and the availability of the raw materials in the country before going to establish any industry.

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“This will also expand the market in the country alongside raising the purchasing capacity of people,” she said.
 
Hasina also said the government is on its move to materialise the Vision 2041 which will make the country a developed and prosperous one.
 
“To make that happen, we need to flourish all kinds of industries, and we’re working to that end,” she said,
 
Industries Minister Nurul Majid Mahmud Humayun, State Minister Kamal Ahmed Mojumder, Secretary Zakia Sultana, FBCCI president M Jashim Uddin, SME Foundation Chairperson Dr M Masudur Rahman also spoke at the programme.

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A documentary on SME Foundation was screened at the event.
 
The SME Entrepreneur Award was given to successful entrepreneurs for their contributions to the economy and society. The Industries Minister, on behalf of the Prime Minister, handed over the awards among the winners.