DHAKA, Jan 1, 2022 (BSS) - Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina today urged
the country's businessmen to put concentration on research for product
diversification and own branding to boost export and business growth.

  "You (Businessmen) have to move ahead (inside and outside the
country) through developing own brand" she told the inaugural ceremony
of the month-long Dhaka International Trade Fair (DITF)-2022 at
Bangabandhu Bangladesh-China Friendship Exhibition Centre (BBCFEC) at
Purbachal, a new city in the outskirts of the capital.

  Joining virtually at the inauguration ceremony of the 26th edition
of the trade fair from her official residence Ganabhaban, she said
research is needed for expansion of trade and commerce to understand
and maintain the product demand and its quality.

   In this connection, she said, industry owners and exporters should
put their focus on this issue to boost export.

   "I called upon you (businessmen) that you have to take the
initiative to uphold the image of your own country side by side with
keeping your market afloat and expand by maintaining quality of your
products," she added.

   Referring to the country's up-gradation as a developing nation,
Sheikh Hasina said that there is still long way to go to fulfil the
dream of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and
the government is working relentlessly to materialize it.

   To this end, she said that foreign ministry and all the high
commissions, embassies and missions abroad have already been directed
to work and go ahead following the strategy that "our present
diplomacy will be economic diplomacy".

   She continued that the government has already conducted feasibility
studies on 23 countries for bilateral and regional trade agreements,
free trade agreement and comprehensive economic agreement.

   "We are working and taking preparation to tackle any challenges as
a developing nation," she added.

  With Commerce Minister Tipu Munshi, MP, in the chair, Export
Promotion Bureau Vice Chairman and CEO AHM Ahsan gave the welcome
address. Commerce Ministry's Senior Secretary Tapan Kanti Ghosh and
FBCCI President Md Jashim Uddin also spoke.

  At the outset of the ceremony, an audio-visual highlighting the
development activities of the present government was screened.

   The prime minister, at the function, also declared "ICT Products
and Services" as the "Product of the Year" for 2022 to encourage
exports in accordance with the export policy.

   It was not possible to arrange the DITF in the last year due to
Covid-19 pandemic, but now the trade fair is being taken place at its
permanent venue (BBCFEC) for the first time.

   This year, the fair has been arranged keeping in mind the birth
centenary of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman,
the golden jubilee of the country's independence and the development
activities of the government.

  Sheikh Hasina extended credit to industrial
entrepreneurs-owners-laborers as they had pulled the country's economy
ahead even during the Covid-19 pandemic, saying that the economy was
not stalled fully rather it was kept rolling, whereas the economies of
many countries across the globe stood still almost completely.

   Referring to 8 percent growth attained by her government before the
outbreak of the lethal virus, the prime minister hoped that they will
surpass it again in future overcoming all barriers.

   She also briefly described the government's steps and stimulus
packages taken to keep the wheels of the economy moving.

   Sheikh Hasina urged the businessmen to explore new markets for
Bangladeshi items and diversify the products which are urgently needed
to raise export growth.

  "During this pandemic, food product's demand is increasing in many
countries and this trend will never slow down," she noted, referring
to the scenarios witnessed by the world in the Corona period.

   She said the demand in the local market is also growing fast as the
country's economic activity has increased significantly.

  In this connection, she urged the business community to produce
agricultural products and look into food production and processing.

  The head of government also laid emphasis on improving the quality
and standard of existing export items and find out the demand of
various products across the globe. "You've to find out new countries,
know their product demands."

   In this connection, she referred to the leather and leather
products, jute and jute goods, processed foods and agricultural items.

   The premier said now the world has entered into the technological
era and the government has taken time befitting initiatives to develop
skilled manpower keeping in mind the fourth industrial revolution
(4IR). "Our goal is that we don't want to lag behind anyhow."

   About the trade fair, she said when an international fair is
organised local businessmen and traders get the chances of exchanging
their views with others of different countries which helps them to
know about demand of products and way of diversification.

   She opined that the fair would also help the businessmen to find
out partner as it is very much required to run business both at home
and abroad.

   Sheikh Hasina expected that the month-long fair will further spread
the message of the country's potential among entrepreneurs, traders,
industrialists, exporters, buyers and visitors.

   She said the role of export sector is immense in the economic
progress of Bangladesh, in particular earning foreign exchange,
generating employment, empowering women and alleviating poverty, which
will lead the country to further prosperity.

   She said when the Awami League government was formed in 2009 the
total export earning was $15.56 billion, which they have raised to
$45.38 billion in the last 13 years.

   Bangladesh is moving forward, the next generation will get
self-respecting, non-communal, developed and happy prosperous golden
Bangladesh as dreamt by the Father of the Nation, she added.