The New Nation - Internet Edition

The Ministry of Science And Information & Communication Technology (S&ICT), Government of Bangladesh has been funding projects for research and development (R & D) since 70s. This has created new opportunities and renewed enthusiasm for research in science and technology in the country. Many scientists are getting S&ICT grants to undertake research in various disciplines of science including Biological, Environmental, Physical, Social, sciences.

In the recent years, the S&ICT Ministry has succeeded in setting up standard and transparency in the process of awarding project grants. In my opinion, the Ministry of Science and ICT need to take some steps to bring more dynamism in science and technology research which may include: (i) Identifying the actual research need (ii) Fixing priority (iii) Providing financial support in capacity building (iv) Strengthening Monitoring and Evaluation System of the funded projects.

Tariff Commission should set example

The objectives of the Bangladesh Tariff Commission (BTC), a statutory autonomous organisation of the government include the protection of indigenous industries, economising the use of scarce foreign exchange and increasing local employment. My question is, how far the BTC has accomplished these objectives.

I would like to draw the kind attention of BTC Chairman Dr. Syed Naquib Muslim who is a Secretary to the Government and an efficient bureaucrat, policy-maker, and development expert to the above issue. I believe that the BTC has a great scope for developing agro-based industries and in generating rural employment opportunities.

Professor M Zahidul Haque

Chairman, Department of Agricultural Extension & Information

System, Sher-e-Bangla Agricultural University,

Dhaka.