ZCZC
BSS-52
CITF-TIPU
Govt working to create 11.5 million jobs: Tipu
CHATTOGRAN, Mar 06, 2019 (BSS) – Terming Chattogram as the economic life line of the country, Commerce Minister Tipu Munshi today urged private entrepreneurs to supplement the Prime Minister’s plan to create employment opportunities for 11.5 million people.
The minister said that the government led by Bangabandhu’s daughter Sheikh Hasina has been relentlessly working to achieve the export target of $60 billion by 2021.
Tipu said that at present the annual export of the country stood at over $34 billion and was increasing at the rate of 12.5 per cent per annum.
The commerce minister called upon entrepreneurs of the private sector to play a proactive role to further accelerate the country’s economic growth and lift the country’s present economic status to a developed one from a developing position. “We are confident that Bangladesh will achieve this growth due to its policy, dynamic private sector, strong economic foundation and strategic location,” he said.
The minister said this while speaking as chief guest at the inaugural ceremony of the month long 27th “Chattogram International Trade Fair-2019” (CITF-2019) at Bangabandhu Conference Hall of the World Trade Centre that kicked off here today (Wednesday).
Organised under the auspices of Chattogram Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCCI), Tipu termed the CCCI as a century-old business organization.
He said prospect of Blue Economy is immense and its activities must centre around Chattogram and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina recently inaugurated Bangabandhu tunnel under the River Karnaphuli to that end.
Responding to various demands of CCCI, the minister said steps will be taken to include representatives from CCCI into the board of directors of Chattogram Port Authority.
CITF-2019 convenor and CCCI vice president Nurun Nowaz Selim gave the welcome speech, while CCCI president Mahbubul Alam presided over the function.
The inaugural function was addressed, among others, by Deputy Minister for Education Mohibul Hasan Chowdhury Nowfel and CCCI vice-president Sayed Zamal Ahmed.
Mohibul Hasan Chowdhury Nowfel stressed on decentralization of administration for relieving sufferings of businessmen and expanding business.
Over 450 local and foreign stalls, including 22 premier gold pavilions, two premier pavilions, 180 premier mega stalls, 10 premier gold stalls, six standard stalls, have been set up at the fair venue covering an area of four lakh square feet at the Railway Polo Ground.
Some of the leading industrial enterprises from China, Thailand, Iran, and India will participate in the fair.
The CCCI authority has been organizing the fair since 1993 and it got wide publicity by the Bangladesh missions abroad, foreign missions in Bangladesh and different trade bodies and globally famous trade web sites.
The fair will remain open to visitors from 10 am to 10 pm, every day, till April 6, 2019.
BSS/MAM/SKB/KU/AS/2214 HRS