Industries Minister Khandaker Abdul Muktadir said on Sunday said the government is working to raise the contribution of the cottage, micro, small and medium enterprise (CMSME) sector to at least 60 percent of the national economy.

He also directed officials of the Bangladesh Small and Cottage Industries Corporation (BSCIC) to submit specific proposals within the next seven days to help accelerate the implementation of ongoing and new industrial projects.

The directives came while addressing a daylong workshop titled "Contribution of BSCIC Industrial Estates to the National Economy and Measures to Overcome Existing Challenges" at the BSCIC headquarters in Tejgaon, Dhaka.

The workshop brought together officials from BSCIC industrial estates across the country to discuss the organisation's achievements over the past 69 years, as well as the challenges and future prospects of the sector.

Industries Secretary Abdun Naser Khan attended the event as special guest, while BSCIC Chairman Md Saiful Islam presided over the programme.

Speaking at the workshop, the minister stressed the need to expand the country's industrial base through the swift implementation of development projects.

He said the proposals submitted by BSCIC officials would be reviewed promptly to facilitate the next phase of project execution.

In his welcome address, BSCIC Chairman Md Saiful Islam described the organisation as "the practical embodiment of Bangladesh's industrialisation" and reaffirmed its commitment to contributing to the country's economic development.

He outlined several future priorities, including establishing environmentally friendly industrial estates and industrial parks, reviving closed and sick industries located in BSCIC estates, ensuring full allocation of vacant industrial plots, promoting beekeeping through modern technology, expanding the "One Village, One Product" initiative, and modernising design centres.

Later in the day, the industries minister inaugurated the five-day BSCIC Monsoon Fair-2026 at the BSCIC Bhaban in Tejgaon.

The fair features 56 stalls showcasing a wide range of products, including handicrafts, leather goods, Jamdani, Shataranji, Manipuri sarees, textiles, Nakshi Kantha, jute products, bamboo and cane items, honey and processed food.

The fair will remain open to visitors from July 5 to July 9 every day from 10 am to 8 pm at the ground floor of the BSCIC Bhaban, located at 398 Tejgaon Industrial Area.

Entrepreneurs from different parts of the country are participating in the fair to display and sell traditional, locally made products, aiming to promote Bangladesh's rich cultural heritage and support small and cottage industries.