Speakers at a virtual seminar on stated that the linkage of entrepreneurs with an international supply chain has now come to be a pressing demand of the time to maintain the rally of growth.
They also opined that it is important to address cottage, micro, small and medium enterprises individually while developing policies on different issues such as dealing with the issue like internationalization of CMSMEs sectors or bank policies in providing financial support.
Innovation, Creativity and Entrepreneurship (ICE) Center of University of Dhaka organized the virtual webinar session on “CMSMEs in Bangladesh: Journey, Challenges and Future Direction” for Dhaka Division as part of its REVIVE Project, a joint collaboration of ICE Center and UNDP Bangladesh starting from 4:30 pm.
The session was Presided by Dr. Khondoker Bazlul Haque, Vice-Chairman of ICE Center and moderated by Md. Rashedur Rahman, Executive Director of ICE Center.
Dr. Gowher Rizvi, Advisor to the Prime Minister on International Relation Affairs was the chief guest of the session while AKM Sajedur Rahman, Deputy Governor of Bangladesh Bank and Barrister Nihad Kabir, President of Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MCCI) were the distinguished guests. The session was also attended by Dr. Momtaz Uddin Ahmed, Honorary Professor, University of Dhaka, and Khurshid Alam, Assistant Resident Representative, UNDP Bangladesh.
Dr. Gowher Rizvi began his speech by congratulating ICE Center for its project REVIVE initiative that targets the CMSMEs of our nation. The linkage of entrepreneurs with an international supply chain has now come to be a pressing demand of the time to maintain the rally of growth.
From his experience of working with the indigenous community, Rizvi said that although training and skills development activities that are being undertaken for indigenous and marginal people are appropriate but the main problem lies in creating linkage for them with the market.
“Historically, entrepreneurs are inclined towards sole proprietorship of their business but in case of the indigenous tribes they think and function like a community and that is how businesses are developed amongst them”, he added.
Nihad Kabir stated that it is important to address cottage, micro, small and medium enterprises individually while developing policies on different issues such as dealing with the issue like internationalization of CMSMEs sectors or bank policies in providing financial support.
By applauding Project REVIVE for its district mapping initiative of the 64 districts, she emphasized on its outcome to be useful for the development and industrialization of the districts.
AKM Sajedur Rahman, the Deputy Governor of Bangladesh bank, in his speech emphesized that for the continued economic growth of Bangladesh, CMSME sector needs to be developed giving priority.
The Executive Director of ICE Center, Md. Rashedur Rahman in his speech shared the journey of Project REVIVE and its activities so far.
Professor Dr. Muhammad Shariat Ullah pointed out that this project had made it possible to run a nationwide survey addressing the struggles of CMSMEs regarding different important issues.
Dr. Momtaz Uddin Ahmed discussed about the necessity of cluster-based development regarding widening the window of opportunity for the CMSMEs to enter the global market.
Khurshid Alam said that for the development journey of Bangladesh, the growth and expansion of the CMSME sector is absolutely vital.