‘India wants to intensify trade, economic ties with B’desh’
Appreciating the SME sector’s growing role in the Bangladesh’s economy, Indian Deputy High Commissioner Sandeep Chakravorty on Thursday said a small intervention in terms of technology and capital can give a big boost to productivity and profitability of the sector.
“A very small technological intervention or intervention in terms of capital can easily increase profitability and productivity of the SME sector,” he told a press conference at CIRDAP conference room.
He said the experience and expertise sharing and collaboration between the two countries in this vital sector can help bring mutual benefits for both the friendly countries.
The press conference was arranged to brief media about the daylong seminar on Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) to be held here on Saturday.
Bangladesh Bank, India-Bangladesh Chamber of Commerce and Industry (IBCCI) in association with Indian High Commission in Dhaka are organising the first-ever such seminar in Bangladesh.
Bangladesh Bank general manager on SME Affairs Sukomol Singh Chowdhury and First Secretary (Economic and Projects) R Masakui were also present.
Responding to a question, Sandeep Chakravorty said the Indian investment in Bangladesh is on the rise and Airtel is so far the biggest investors here over investment worth US$ 1 billion. “We want to intensify trade and economic relations with Bangladesh. We’re very much encouraged so far,” he said.
On SME sector, he said India’s SME sector’s contribution to the GDP is about 8 percent while that of Bangladesh’s SME sector to the GDP is about 25 percent. “We’ve a lot of things to learn from Bangladesh.”
Bangladesh Bank Governor Dr Atiur Rahman will inaugurate the seminar as the chief guest. Indian High Commissioner in Dhaka Pankaj Saran will attend it as a special guest. IBCCI President Abdul Matlub Ahmad will chair the session.
Sushil Muhnot, Chairman and Managing Director of Small Industries Development Bank of India (SIDBI), Dr HP Kumar, Chairman Cum Managing Director, National Small Industries Corporation (NSIC) and Rajiv Chawla, Chairman, Integrated Association of Micro, Small & Medium Enterprises of India (IAM SME of India) will address the audience followed by specialised presentations.
Distinguished representatives from organisations and institutions of MSME sector of Bangladesh will participate. Discussions and interactive business sessions will take place in the afternoon.
The focus of the seminar is to explore opportunities of cooperation between the two countries in the MSME sector.
This seminar is the first of its kind aimed at bringing together the premier institutions from India and Bangladesh in Small and Medium Enterprises (SME) sector.
It is expected to open a new avenue of engagement between the entrepreneurs and businesses of India and Bangladesh.
Source: UNB Connect