The New Nation - Internet Edition

Staff Reporter

The European Union will support Bangladesh's initiatives aimed at promoting technology transfer to foster the diversification of the local economy in export-oriented sectors.

Ambassador Dr Stefan Frowein, Head of the Delegation of the European Commission in Dhaka, came up with the assurance while addressing a seminar yesterday.

The Federation of Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce and Industries (FBCCI) organised the seminar at the wrap-up ceremony of the 'Export integration and entrepreneur development' at Hotel Sheraton in the city. FBCCI administrator Syed Manzur Elahi presided over the seminar.

Ambassador Dr Stefan Frowein said the EU wants to help Bangladesh in trade and investment related to EU legislation and support initiatives aimed at promoting technology transfer to foster the diversification of the local economy in export oriented sectors.

The EU, he added, also wants to provide support to initiatives aimed at promoting vocational training and entrepreneurship in the country to foster employment in export-oriented sectors.

Dr Frowein said the small projects facility, which funded the 'Export integration and entrepreneur development', has achieved enormous interests from eligible organisations, primarily NGO and trade related interest organisations.

Such significant interests have resulted in projects being implemented in as different areas as garments, horticulture, shrimp, pesticide management and capacity building of journalists writing about economic issues, he added.

"The 'Export integration and entrepreneur development programme' had the overall objective to help existing entrepreneurs diversify their products and export destinations, to encourage new exporting entrepreneurs as well as entrepreneurship in general," Ambassador Frowein said.