CPD-Prothom Alo-The Daily Star dialogue in Narayanganj

Explore domestic market to sustain SMEs
Centre for Policy Dialogue, The Daily Star
and the Prothom Alo dialogue told

Staff Correspondent, Narayanganj
27 May 2003

Pro-people and environment-friendly industrial policy is necessary to achieve desired performance in the industrial sector.Speakers at a regional consultation meeting of the National Policy Review Forum-2003 in Narayanganj yesterday also emphasised the need to explore domestic market to ensure sustainability of the industries, small and medium units in particular.

The dialogue on 'Industrial Policy' was organised by the Centre for Policy Dialogue (CPD), The Daily Star and the Prothom Alo. CPD Chairman Prof. Rehman Sobhan said Narayanganj had been the pride of the country for long for being the country's pioneer business hub. But that has changed.

"The famous jute industries are de-industrialised and garments have taken its place," he said. Prof. Sobhan suggested that a local government-based strategy should be adopted to boost the industrialisation, especially for small and medium enterprises. "Central government cannot do everything alone. You have to do it yourself in association with the local government."

Bangladesh Knitwear Manufactures and Exporters Association (BKMEA) President Monjurul Hoq chaired the dialogue and Prothom Alo Editor Motiur Rahman delivered the welcome speech. Taking part in the discussion, Asgar Hossain Bhuiyan, former vice president of Bangladesh Jute Association, said no industry would be viable without having proper feasibility study done beforehand. He also stressed the need to have agro-based industries for proper utilisation of domestic resources.

Dr Karunamaya Goswami said no development was possible without the development of human resources. Underscoring the environmental aspect for the growth of industrialisation, he said there should be a serious study on whether the knitting-dyeing industry should continue to have the support even when it continues to pollute Shitalakhya river or sweet water with its waste.

SM Akram, a former member of parliament from Narayanganj constituency, said good law and order is the most important prerequisite for industrialisation. He was critical about various industrial policies adopted in last three decades.

Bangladesh Clothes Merchant Association President Mohammad Ayub said since the government is planning to set up a textile village at the premises of now-closed Adamjee Jute Mills, it should build a wastewater treatment plant first to protect the river from dyeing waste. Narayanganj town planner Al Amin said the infrastructure of the sunset industries should be utilised for new industries and incentive should be provided for them.

Summing up the session Dr QK Ahmed, chairman of the CPD taskforce, said a pro-people industrial policy is a must and they would obviously recommend it to the government. Chief guest Dr Selina Hayet Ivey said Narayanganj Municipality would extend all cooperation to the small and medium industries.

BKMEA vice-president Md Hatem, Crown Cement Ltd proprietor Khabiruddin Mollah, Bangladesh Yarn Merchant Association Preisdent Jahangir Alam, NASIB Chairman Mirza Nurul Goni Sumon, CPB leader Dulal Shaha, politician Mahbubur Rahman Ismail, Workers Party leader Safiuddin Ahmed, advocate Merina Begum, Dr Shahnaz and Anjuman Ara Aksir also took part in the dialogue.