Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina inaugurated the week-long 11th National SME Product Fair to showcase products made by domestic small and medium entrepreneurs. The fair has been organized at the Bangabandhu International Conference Center as a joint initiative of the Ministry of Industry and SME Foundation from Sunday, May 19.
More than three hundred and fifty companies including 60 percent women participated in this year’s event. Out of these, 13 information technology (IT) based services, 3 electrical and electronics sector and 23 light engineering products are presenting the readiness of Smart Bangladesh.
According to sources, 75 companies will participate in this year’s fair. Besides, 42 institutions are exhibiting jute products, 38 institutions are showcasing handicrafts, 32 institutions are displaying leather products and 27 institutions are exhibiting processed agricultural products. In these cases, the covert use of technology has emerged in the exhibition.
Apart from this, six seminars on easy financing, women entrepreneurship development, technology, information technology and cluster development will be held at Windy Town Hall.
Domestic software manufacturer Techsolutions Plex Limited has participated in the fair with five service products. New products include ‘Prize Pro’ and ‘Landso’.
30 banks, 15 public-private institutions, 5 university business clubs and around 50 other institutions are serving the participants of the fair.
While speaking as the chief guest at the opening ceremony of the fair, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina said that, we want to make our industrial sector environment-friendly. Those who set up industrial establishments must ensure that industrial waste does not fall into rivers. I request you to take special care that the water is not polluted in any way.
Commenting that women entrepreneurship should be increased, she said, ‘Women should be given more opportunities. Then men and women will move forward on an equal footing. Women should be recognized for their domestic work as well.’
Sheikh Hasina said, ‘various products are produced in different regions of the country. Opportunities should be created to market them within the country. The demand of our own country is increasing. People’s purchasing power is increasing. Along with meeting the needs of the country, opportunities for export should be created. Exports should be diversified. Besides, the market must be created within the country. A huge field of work has been created at the other side of the Padma. SME entrepreneurs can work over there.’
Industry Minister Nurul Majid Mahmud Humayun, Senior Secretary of the Ministry of Industry Zakia Sultana, FBCCI President Mahbubul Alam and Chairman of SME Foundation Md. Masudur Rahman addressed the event.
In the inaugural ceremony, the Prime Minister handed over the National SME Award 2023 along with Crest, Accreditation Certificate to several small, medium and startup entrepreneurs. Among the awardees, entrepreneur Swapna Rani Sen expressed her feelings of winning the National SME Award 2023.
After her speech was over, the Prime Minister announced the opening of the National SME Product Fair-2024. Later, the Prime Minister visited various stalls of the fair along with the guests.
