Industry Minister Amir Hossain Amu addressing as the chief guest at the closing ceremony of BAPA-EU Inspired Project held at Daffodil International University today.
Industry Minister Amir Hossain Amu has said , Government has given priority to set up Agro based industry to ensure food security of the people. He said, Agro/Food processing and Agro equipment preparing industries have been kept in the top list of the Mational Industry Policy 2016.To encourage the entrepreneurs Government is giving 20% recompense against export in this industry. Plot will be allocated in priority basis for Agro based SME industry in the 100 newly built economical zone of the country, he added.
He said these while addressing as the chief guest at the closing ceremony of Food Processing and Agro SME development project “Bangladesh Inspired” jointly implemented by the Bangladesh Agro–Processors Association (BAPA), European Union and Department of Nutrition and Food Engineering of Daffodil International University held today at the Auditorium of Daffodil International University.
Presided over by A F M Fokhrul Islam Munshi, President of Bangladesh Agro–Processors Association (BAPA), Professor Md. Musleem Uddin, Adviser of BAPA Inspired project highlighted the significance of the project in the program. The program was also addressed by Sushen Chandra Das, Project Director of BAPA Inspired and Additional Secretary of Ministry of Industries, Prof. Dr. Yousuf M Islam, Vice Chancellor, Daffodil International University, Mr. Ali Sabet, Team Leader, Bangladesh Inspired Project, Mr. Md. Abu Taher, Director, Innovation Incubation Center of Daffodil International University, Trained Young Entreprenurs Abdur Rahim and Priodorshi Chakma.
Amir Hossain Amu Said, considering the availability of the raw materials to utilize the opportunity of Agro based industries we will have to set up area based small industries. Beside this we will have to inspire the young students of the university to create new entrepreneurs. Agro based industry will be set up at the free spaces of the government owned mills. Interested new Entrepreneurs will be given allocation of plots in district level BSCIC industrial cities of the country to utilize the opportunity and prosperity of the area based Agro products processing industry, he added.
In the program Entrepreneurs of Agro based products stressed that it is possible to export Tk.10,000 crore from Food Processing Industry within next 5 years. They said, at present products of Tk. 1600 crore is exporting from this sector. To increase the growth of export of this sector, they urged the government to provide single digit loan interest, priority based gas connection for agro based industry and opportunity to repay the industrial plot installment easily.
Addressers also said, there is immense opportunity to add value in agro based products processing industry. Our neighboring countries including India are exporting billion dollars utilizing this opportunity. Though there prevails immense opportunity of agro based industries in Bangladesh, but that couldn’t be utilized still now. To utilize the opportunity of this sector, they urged to establish an individual full fledged division for agro based food products under Ministry of Industry. To create skilled entrepreneurs in this sector they underscored the need for practical training and introducing entrepreneurship courses in public and private universities of the country.
