National policy for small, medium enterprises 'soon', Industries Minister Amu says

The government will finalise and adopt a national policy on small and medium enterprises (SME) to streamline the sector and enhance its skill base, Industries Minister Amir Hossain Amu has said.

The minister made the announcement during the inauguration of the International SME Fair Bangladesh 2016 at World Trade Center in Chittagong on Saturday.

According to minister, the SME sector is creating 80 to 85 percent of total industrial jobs in the country while the sector contributes 30 to 35 percent of total domestic production.

He said Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has ordered to take into consideration the availability of the raw materials while setting up industries in a particular region. Following her order, the SME Foundation is conducting survey across the country, he added.

"We are identifying what incentives and policy support the government can provide to the SME entrepreneurs," he said, adding that Chittagong and the three Hill districts were also being surveyed.

Amu said ‘a draft of the SME policy has already been made’. "The national SME policy will be announced soon to improve the level of efficiency of these industries," he added.

He urged the SME entrepreneurs in Chittagong to contribute to the policy by submitting information and proposals based on facts.

Chittagong Chamber of Commerce and Industry has organised the fair.

President of the Chamber, Mahbubul Alam, presided over the inaugural ceremony. MA Latif, MP, a former president of CCI, among others, spoke on the occasion.