The New Nation - Internet Edition

UNB, Dhaka

Chief Adviser Dr Fakhruddin Ahmed yesterday called for increasing the country's export growth to keep pace with the fast rising economies of Asia like China, India and Vietnam.

He emphasized on production of more competitive goods and their marketing utilizing the comparative advantages of the country's human resources.

The head of the caretaker government made the call and remarks addressing the National Export Trophy distribution function at Osmani Memorial Auditorium jointly organized by the Export Promotion Bureau (EPB) and the Commerce Ministry.

Dr Fakhruddin said the country must diversify its exports, adding that the government is considering potentialities of the export sector.

He said there is high demand in the international market for agro-based and processed agricultural goods, light engineering items, shoes and leather products, medicine, ICT and home textiles. The export income of Bangladesh was US$ 12.18 billion in 2006-07 fiscal year while export target for the current fiscal was set at US$ 14.50 billion.

Drawing attention of all concerned for maintaining peace and discipline in business arena in the interest of development of the country's economy, Dr Fakhruddin made a clarion call to all concerned to refrain from activities which cast negative impact on trade and business as well as in the economy. He believed that Bangladesh would turn into a middle-income group country in the next one decade if all, irrespective of class, profession and position work together.

The national export trophies were awarded for the years 2002-2003, 2003-04 and 2004-05 in three categories : Gold, Silver and Bronze along with certificates on 21 export items among 82 business institutions and industries for their extraordinary contributions to the national economy.

A total of 33 gold, 28 silver and 21 bronze trophies were given for the three years.

In 1978 the government introduced President's Export Trophy as a recognition for keeping special contribution in the economy of Bangladesh through exporting goods. Later in 1994, the trophy was renamed as National Export Trophy.

Bangladesh is now exporting 167 items to some 186 countries.

Commerce Adviser Dr Hossain Zillur Rahman, Commerce Secretary Firoz Ahmed, FBCCI President Annisul Huq and EPB Vice-President Md Shabullah also spoke at the function.