DHAKA: Industries Minister Amir Hossain Amu on Thursday termed Bangladesh as a country with great potentiality for economic development.

The minister came up with the observation in a discussion meeting organized by Bangladesh Chamber of Industries (BCI) at a city hotel.

He said, “The economy of the country is growing rapidly despite several obstacles. The Gross Domestic Product (GDP) expanded to 6.01 percent in the last ten fiscal years.”

Amu further said after the Liberation War, Bangladesh started its journey exporting only 200-million US dollars which now jumped to 27-billion US dollars.

He added: “As a result, per capita income of the people also has increased to a satisfactory level.”
Amir Hossain Amu also said: “Per capita income rose to $1044 at present which was US $630 in 2008. The GDP has swelled to 32 percent from 29 percent lately.”

Senior Awami League leader also said, “Bangladesh is currently exporting around 705 products in 188 countries of the world. Our country has secured 2nd place in exporting readymade garments products. Our medicines are being exported in more than 80 countries in the world.”

The Minister further said that exports of textiles and garments are the largest sources of earning foreign exchange.

Shipbuilding, pharmaceuticals and consumer goods manufacturing are important emerging industries, while the jute sector is re-emerging with increasing global demand for green fibers. Remittances from Bangladeshis working overseas, mainly in the Middle East, are another major source of foreign exchange.
Minister also said currently the amount of foreign exchange reserve is more than 19-billion US dollars. Besides, an amount of Tk 82,000-crore liquid money is available in the local banks.

He also stated that Bangladesh is now exporting raw hides and products made of hides worth 1 billion US dollars which would be seven times more in the next 10 years.

Senior lawmaker also said Bangladesh achieved a mentionable progress in recent years by reducing poverty, spreading quality education, women`s empowerment, reducing maternal and child mortality rates, enhancing social safety and security, medical service, science and technological progress and so on.

He also criticized the violent activities by the opposition during hartal days in 2013-2014 fiscal years.
“Despite all of these around 12 percent export was increased in this tenure,” he added.

With BCI President AK Azad in the chair, Dr Taufiq-e-Elahi Chowdhury, additional secretary of Industries Ministry M Moinuddin Abdullah and additional director of CPD Dr Khandaker Golam Moazzem, among others, were also present here.

BDST: 1953 HRS, APR 10, 2014