“You should find out the government’s successes as well, not only the faults”, he told economic reporters while addressing a workshop on “the Role of Media in promoting SME Development and Sustainability”, at Economic Reporters Forum (ERF) auditorium in the city.
Bangladesh Small and Cottage industries Corporation (BSCIC) organised the workshop in partnership with ERF and Poverty Reduction Through inclusive and Sustainable Markets (Prism) with ERF president Saif Islam Dilal in the city.
The function was also addressed, among others, by industries secretary Abdul Halim, BSCIC chairman Mostaque Hassan, first secretary of European Union Mission in Dhaka Manfred Fernholz, Prism teal leader Ali Sabet and ERF general secretary Rashidul Islam.
Salman Rahman said the government has made huge successes in small and medium enterprise (SME) and ICT sectors.
“Now 600,000-700,000 free lancers have been created in the country who been earning about $200 million in formal banking channels. But their actual amount will be about $ 1billion which is not coming through formal channels due to different barriers in banking service,” he said.
He said recently steps have been taken to remove the barriers and from the next year, the free lancers will come under a registration process and banks will help them to earn foreign currency.
Industries secretary Abdul Halim said the government has set a target to increase the industrial sector’s contribution to GPD to 40 percent by 2030.
“SME sector will play a vital role to achieve the target without neglecting the agriculture sector”, he added.
BSCIC chairman Mostaque Hossain said the organisation has planned to set up 50 industrial zones across the country to promote SME sectors to achieve the government’s target.
He also said that the government will focus on development of leather industries to increase its export to $10 billion from existing $1billion by2030
He said the effluent treatment plant in Savar Tannery Estate will start its operation in the full swing by December this year.