Govt names 20 firms for president’s industrial awards

Twenty industries are going to be honoured with the "President's Award for Industrial Development" for their contribution to industrialisation, employment generation and overall economic development of the country, according to a notification issued by the industries ministry on August 10. 

This would be the sixth time the industries ministry was recognising entrepreneurs for their efforts towards industrialisation.

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As in the past year, the industries ministry will recognise industries in six categories -- large, medium, small, cottage, micro and hi-tech.

The government last year issued a policy to recognise industries and encourage investments as well as innovation.

Of the 20 companies, motorcycle manufacturer Runner Automobiles and Incepta Pharmaceuticals jointly topped the large industries category.

BRB Cable Industries came second along with Fariha Spinning Mills while Envoy Textiles came third, according to the notification.

"We accept this recognition with grace and humility," said Abdul Muktadir, chairman and managing director of Incepta Pharmaceuticals in his immediate reaction.

"We are working on bringing vaccines, new drugs and biologics for the benefit of people in our country. We will be able to make and supply medicines at affordable rates that are imported to our country," he said.

In medium industries category, Noman Terry Towel Mills, a concern of Noman Group, and Mascotex were jointly adjudged winners. APS Design Works came in second while Bengal Polymer Wares and Auko Tex jointly came in third.

Masco Overseas and Masco Dairy Enterprise were named as the first prize winners in the small and micro industries categories.

Abdul Jalil and Pacific Sea Food came in second while Madhabdi Dying and Finishing third. In cottage industries category, Intelligent Card was recognised as the first prize winner. Rong Mela Nari Kalyan Sangstha came in third.

In hi-tech industry category, Fair Electronics, which assembles Samsung smartphones, came out at the top. Mir Telecom and Service Engine secured second and third positions respectively, according to the notification.

"This is the reflection of our consistent effort. The credit goes to our young talents in the organisation who have made my vision into reality," said Mohiuddin Monem, chairman of Service Engine, a leading business process outsourcing company in Bangladesh.

Service Engine has been making it to the list for the last couple of years.

Monem appreciated the government's initiative to recognise entrepreneurial efforts outside the garment sector, the biggest export earning sector. This will encourage diversification, he said.

Zanendra Nath Sarker, additional secretary to the industries ministry, said they were planning to award the winners of 2020 and 2021 at a gathering in October or November this year.

"We are in the middle of the selection process of the winners of 2021. We expect to finalise the winners of 2021 by the end of this month or early next month," he said.