Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Sunday said the government wants to see labour- intensive industries in the country alongside inducting modern technology in the industrial sector.

“We want to induct modern technology in the industrial sector. We want to move foward and not backward. But the employment opportunities  must not be destroyed,” she said. 

The prime minister said this while inaugurating the weeklong 11th National SME Product Fair to showcase locally products by small and medium enterprises at the Bangabandhu International Conference Center (BICC). It was jointly organised by the Industries Ministry and SME Foundation.

She said that it is said that the fourth industrial revolution will be achieved  digitally. 

“But we will need entrepreneurs and workforce for that,” she said. 

Make investments in country's economic zones, PM Hasina asks local businesses

She mentioned that while taking steps all have to keep it in mind that labour intensive industries have to be set up in the country. 

In this connection she instructed Industries Ministry and SME Foundation to look into the matter.

“Because we have to provide work for our people, for that we have to give more attention to setting up labour intensive industries,” she said.

Putting emphasis on creating new entrepreneurs she urged the youth not to run after jobs only after completing any course.

“Be entrepreneur to create jobs for others, you have to avail that capability,” she said.

She mentioned about government’s initiatives including startup programmes and separate budget for them.

She asked all SMEs to pay more attention to making their entities as hundred percent export oriented.

PM Hasina opens SME fair in Dhaka to showcase local products

The prime minister said that she has already directed the Bangladesh missions abroad to intensify their economic diplomacy to find out the demands in their respective host countries to expand export items and markets.

“We can produce, we have skilled manpower, anyone can invest here and export the products,” she said.

She said that the small entrepreneurs should be given more attention for advancing the country as they will be the giant one in the course of time.