DHAKA: Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Friday put emphasis on diversifying the production of commodities and exploring new markets for those products instead of relying on one product.
The premier came up with the observation while inaugurating the month-long 21st Dhaka International Trade Fair (DITF)-2016 at Bangabandhu International Conference Center (BICC) at city’s Sher-e-Bangla Nagar area in the afternoon.
Sheikh Hasina further said, “Our export has risen to $31.30 billion from $10.53 billion during the days of BNP government. Finding new markets will enhance our export and decrease dependency on others.”
Mentioning about the ever rising importance of DITF, she said Bangladesh stands fourth in producing freshwater fishes in the world.
“Quality processing and packaging of this fish would increase its export,” she observed.
She also asked the businessmen to focus on producing ‘Halal Meat’ that many Muslim countries import.
The premier also put emphasis on exporting vegetables, flower, processed hides and many other products.
Sheikh Hasina also said about imparting training to youth, irrespective of male and female, to make them more productive.
She also said currently Bangladesh is exporting 729 types of products.
Sheikh Hasina further said about the initiatives taken by the Awami League government during 1996-2001 tenure that helped businessmen diversify exportable commodities.
She also said those who once used to pass snobby comments about Bangladesh are praising the country a lot.
The fair, being organized by Bangladesh Export Promotion Bureau, will remain open from 10:00am to 10:00pm everyday.
A total of 168 pavilions and 387 stalls have been installed in the 1,373,000-square feet fair ground this year. Of those, 26 are food stalls and five restaurants.
Bangabandhu Pavilion has been installed here to give a conception about country’s Liberation War.
The entry fee in the DITF ground will be Tk 20 for the below 18 visitors and Tk 30 for others.
Two blood collecting centers, two mother & children centers and a primary medicare centers also have been set up.
India, Pakistan, China, Malaysia, Iran, Thailand, USA, Turkey, Singapore, Australia, UK, South Korea, Germany, Mauritius, Ghana, Nepal, Hong Kong, Japan, Morocco, Bhutan and UAE will take part in the fair this year.
A large number of law enforcers, including BGB, RAB, police, Ansar and non-government security agencies will be deployed on the fair ground.
Commerce minister Tofail Ahmed, Federation of Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FBCCI) president Abdul Matlub AHmad and several other top businesspersons and civil and army high-ups were, among others, present here.
BDST: 1653 HRS, JAN 01, 2016 updated: 1834 HRS
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