66 exporters honoured

The government yesterday awarded 66 exporters a National Export Trophy based on the highest shipment volumes in fiscal year 2017-18 while businesses called for developing skilled manpower to meet the needs of the expanding economy.

President Abdul Hamid virtually presented the trophies.

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The commerce ministry and Export Promotion Bureau (EPB) jointly organised the programmme at Radisson Blu Dhaka Water Garden.

The awards were presented in 32 categories to 65 businesses. Of them, 27 were in gold category, 23 silver and 15 bronze.

Zaber & Zubair Fabrics was crowned with "Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Export Trophy" for earning the highest through exports. This was the first time this award was presented to encourage exporters to strive for shipping more goods and services.

Addressing the event, Commerce Minister Tipu Munshi said, "We have set our goal to achieve an export target of $51 billion by the end of the year. We are also hopeful that we will achieve $80 billion by the year 2024."

"We expect export earnings not only from the garments sector but also from leather and other industries," he said.

The minister expressed pride at the strength of the country's garment sector, saying that the local manufacturers secured second position in world exports overtaking Vietnam.

"We are the role model now globally as we made significant progress in different sectors like in agricultural sector," he said.

Munshi said a large number of people were engaged in the journey of the garment sector that helped empower women in the country.

Md Jashim Uddin, president of the Federation of Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FBCCI), suggested improving skills of the country's manpower for attaining further economic progress.

"We have an adequate number of workers but we do not have an adequate number of skilled manpower," he said.

He urged all higher educational institutions to come forward and help the industrial sector by putting emphasis on research and innovation.

Recognising exporters' contribution to maintaining a dynamic economy, President Abdul Hamid said "Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Export Trophy" was a matter of great honour and it would inspire others in the days to come, according to the BSS.

The president said in the 8th five-year plan, the country adopted an export-led growth strategy for economic development.

"By increasing exports, we will be able to create more jobs, attract new investment and, above all, increase national income also," said Hamid.

The president also called upon people concerned to focus on boosting exportable products.

Tapan Kanti Ghosh, senior secretary to the commerce ministry, and ASM Rafikul Islam Noman, managing director of Zaber and Zobaer Fabrics, also spoke. EPB Vice-Chairman AHM Ahsan delivered the welcome address.