Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Thursday underlined the need for taking preparation from right now to deal with the possible changes that would happen in the domestic and international labour markets as a result of the 4th industrial revolution (4IR).

“We’ve a huge labour force, which will have to be included in it. They will have to be trained, educated and developed as skilled manpower,” she said.

The premier was addressing the inauguration of 24th national convention and 43rd council session of Institution of Diploma Engineers, Bangladesh (IDEB) in the city’s Osmani Memorial Auditorium, joining it through a virtual platform from Ganobhaban.

She said her government has emphasized skills enhancement, employment growth, strengthening technology and institutional capacity, regional connectivity and infrastructure development, economic and social equity, women empowerment and ensuring equal opportunities for all to face the changed situation.

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She said that the skills development programmes have been launched to face the challenges induced by the 4IR and to attain the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). “Because it is very essential to develop skilled manpower,” she added.

“In this era of 4IR, the use of technology, artificial intelligence and robotics are important factors,” said the PM.

She said the 4IR will hugely impact Bangladesh's economy and employment. The use of robots and technology with artificial intelligence has already started in the readymade garment sector in the country and will start in other sectors gradually.

As a result of the use of robots and technology with artificial intelligence, the productivity in the RMG sector is increasing and the quality of the clothes is improving simultaneously, she went on.

Putting emphasis on technical education, the premier said it is essential to bring a radical change in the country’s education system. “We’ve already brought changes here,” she said.

“We are implementing comprehensive programmes in science and technology, and technical education to turn manpower into human resources,” she said, mentioning different steps and plans of the government in this regard.

Boost production, save resources, exercise austerity to face possible tougher time: PM

The prime minister renewed her call to the people to go for growing more food besides exercising austerity in use of resources as the world braces for difficult times ahead.

“We’ll have to exercise austerity and save resources from now on. We’ll have to avoid wastage of resources. Because, the world economic condition is getting worse day by day,” she said.

Hasina asked the people not to leave a single inch of land uncultivated in these tough times. “We’ll have to maintain self-sufficiency in food production ,” she said, adding her government is implementing all sorts of measures in this regard.

“We’ll have to advance in a planned way. If so, the world recession will not be able to affect us,” she said.

The premier noted her government's success in reaching electricity to every house of the country in fulfilling its promise.

But unfortunately, not only Bangladesh, many developed countries are struggling to provide electricity and energy amid the crisis created by the Ukraine war and the resultant sanctions just when the global economy started recovering from the Covid-19 fallouts, she said.

She said even some countries in Europe and America asked the people to ration the use of electricity and water, not to use boiled water and heating system. The countries are worried about energy supply in the next winter.

Liberation War Affairs Minister AKM Mozammel Haque and State Minister for Housing and Public Works Sharif Ahmed spoke on the occasion.

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IDEB president AKMA Hamid presided over the function, while its general secretary Shamsur Rahman delivered the welcome speech. The IDEB, a professional body of the country’s more than 5 lakh diploma engineers, was founded in 1970.

The PM unveiled the cover of a souvenir published by Bangabandhu Diploma Engineers’ Parishad featuring the life and works of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.