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It's time to build Smart Bangladesh: says PM Sheikh Hasina
- By Efazul Karim -- 6 minutes read --
- Jul 19, 23
" Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina Calls for United Efforts to Build a Smart Bangladesh "
Dhaka, July 16, 2023: Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina said that it is time to Build a Smart Bangladesh. She urged businessmen to make the country's economy stronger, saying that the government is always beside them.
The prime minister said this while addressing the opening of the 'Business Conference on Building Smart Bangladesh' at the Bangabandhu International Conference Center (BICC).
The Federation of Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FBCCI), the apex trade organization of the country, organized the conference focusing on the private sector's role in building Smart Bangladesh.
Sheikh Hasina urged the businessmen to explore new markets and products for the export basket using their innovative ideas. The government will always stand beside them, she added.
Sheikh Hasina said that her government has put maximum emphasis on improving the business environment for both FDI and local private investment. Bangladesh Investment Development Authority (BIDA) is working to support the private sector and Bangladesh Economic Zone Authority is working towards the establishment of 100 special economic zones by 2030, she added.
The Prime Minister said that the government has taken several measures to facilitate and automate business.
In the case of renewal of import-export licenses used in foreign trade, a five-year renewal facility has been introduced instead of the existing one-year, she said, adding that a similar initiative has been taken in the case of the issue of trade licenses and clearances from the Department of Environment.
Referring to the country's journey as a "developing nation" from 2026, she said that many countries have already stepped back even after making the announcement of the implementation of a developing nation but "we didn't step back, Bangladesh will never step back rather we will implement it".
Sheikh Hasina said that Awami League never judge any businessman seeing their political affiliation.
"Political affiliation of the businessmen is not important to us. We always think about the welfare of the people of the country," she added.
In his welcome address, FBCCI President Md. Jashim Uddin highlighted the economic progress of Bangladesh under the present government. He said the leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina is needed for continuing the development and progress of the country.
"Sheikh Hasina has to be the Prime Minister of Bangladesh for businesses, development, and progress of the country," he added.
FBCCI Senior Vice President Mostofa Azad Chowdhury Babu said that the Businessmen of the country want a peaceful environment to conduct business activities. He thanked the HPM for the development in the Rangpur region.
Private Industry and Investment Adviser to the Prime Minister Salman F Rahman MP, and Commerce Minister Tipu Munshi MP were present at the program.
FBCCI Former president Mahbubhr Rahman, Yousuf Abdullah Harun, Abdul Matlub Ahmad, Mir Nasir Hossain and Kazi Akram Uddin, FBCCI Sinior Vice President Mostofa Azad Chowdhury Babu, Chattagram Chamber of Commerce of Industry President Mahbubul Alam, Dhaka Chamber of Commerce and Industry President Barrister Md Sameer Sattar, National Association of Small and Cottage Industries of Bangladesh (NASCIB) Mirza Nurul Ghani Shovon, Bangladesh Association of International Recruiting Agencies (BAIRA) Mohammad Abul Basher, Bangladesh Association of Software and Information Services (BASIS) President Russell T. Ahmed, Bangladesh Dokan Malik Samity President Helal Uddin, chairman of Akij Jute Mills Limited Sheikh Nasir Uddin, president of Bangladesh Chamber of Industries (BCI) Anwar-ul Alam Chowdhury (Parvez), Pran Group Chairman Ahsan Khan Chowdhury, Former Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce and Industry President Nihad Kabir, Chittagong Women Chamber of Commerce & Industry (CWCCI) President Monowara Hakim Ali, Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce and Industry President, Mr. Md. Saiful Islam, Bangladesh Association of Pharmaceutical Industries (BAPI) senior vice president Abdul Muktadir, Bangladesh Textile Mills Association (BTMA) President Mohammad Ali, Meghna Group Chairman Mustafa Kamal, Chief Executive Officer of HSBC Bank Md Mahbub ur Rahman, Foreign Investors’ Chamber of Commerce & Industry (FICCI) President Naser Ezaz Bijoy, Bangladesh Women Chamber of Commerce & Industry (BWCCI) President Selima Ahmad, Japan Bangladesh Chamber of Commerce and Industry president Myung-Ho Lee, Regional Head, Bangladesh, and Pakistan Inditex Javier Carlos Santonja Olcina, Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) president Faruque Hassan, Bangladesh Knitwear Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BKMEA) AKM Salim Osman, Bengal Group chairman Morshed Alam, former FBCCI presidebt AK Azad, President of the Leather-goods and Footwear Manufacturers and Exporters Association of Bangladesh (LFMEAB) Syed Nasim Manzur, Bankers' Association president M Nazrul Islam, Chairman of Bashundhara Group Akbar Sobhan spoke from the business community.
The business leaders highlighted the development activities, especially the mega projects of the present government which have changed the socioeconomic situation of Bangladesh unprecedentedly in the last 14 and half years. They also said that the leadership of Sheikh Hasina is needed in the coming days for the economic development of Bangladesh.
Top corporates of the country, foreign investors, top business leaders, and general body (GB) members from chambers and associations of FBCCI joined the conference.
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