Sweden offers Bangladesh ‘smart manufacturing concept’

Swedish researchers as well as companies have come together in Dhaka and discussed ways of helping Bangladesh to become a “next generation smart manufacturing hub”.

The Embassy of Sweden in Dhaka and the Swedish Trade and Investment Council or the Business Sweden jointly organised the seminar titled “Making Bangladesh a Next Generation Manufacturing Hub - Smart Manufacturing by Sweden” on Wednesday.

The objective was “to promote Bangladesh as an important destination for manufacturing”.

“We see great potential for cooperation with Bangladesh in finding solutions that are environmentally friendly and on occupational safety. We are therefore offering the concept of smart manufacturing,” the Swedish Ambassador in Dhaka Johan Frisell was quoted as saying in a statement.

“Bangladesh is going through a rapid industrialisation, with competitive production and high domestic demand. The government has a great ambition to become a middle-income country by 2021 and creating a production that is efficient and profitable,” he said.

The government has set high-level targets for economic and human development to transform Bangladesh a middle-income country.

Traditionally Bangladesh’s industry has been led by garments and food products which are highly labour intensive. Bangladesh’s success in these industries has been aided by the abundant availability of low-cost labour.

Such industries, however, alone will not be able to fulfil the aspirations of Bangladeshi people in future, and experts suggest, there is a need to expand into other sectors which are technology intensive and more productive.

The industry is seen as a cornerstone of the much-needed growth. The manufacturing sector is also regarded as the key driver of this growth and development.

Minister for Industries Amir Hossain Amu who was present as the chief guest at the seminar welcomed the Swedish initiative.

He said the government would take “additional steps to develop a more advanced industry, and an efficient and sustainable manufacturing sector”.

“Bangladesh will make smart choices and choose solutions that guarantee workers safety, high productivity, minimum effect on the environment and maximum return for investors,” he was quoted as saying in the statement.

The Swedish companies H&M, Tetra Pak, ABB, Ericsson and Alfa Laval, shared their views on how smart manufacturing will enhance the manufacturing sector, and how they in different ways can contribute to more advanced manufacturing capabilities in Bangladesh.

Lisa Tullus, a representative of Business Sweden, made a presentation on the concept of smart manufacturing.

Professor and Chair of Sustainable Manufacturing at KTH Royal Institute of Technology Lihui Wang and Associate Professor of Lund University Charlotta Johnsson presented their research on smart and sustainable production systems, automation and innovation.

Bangladesh Investment Development Authority (BIDA) Executive Chairman Kazi M Aminul Islam was also present.