DHAKA : Commerce Minister Khandakar Abdul Muktadir today
said Bangladesh has the potential to raise its export earnings from the current
US$50-$55 billion to $150 billion if the country focuses on five to seven
priority sectors backed by targeted planning, policy support, research, and skilled
human resource development, reports BSS
“The government is working to transform infrastructure in
the leather and light engineering sectors into international-standard skill
development hubs, which would be managed in collaboration with globally reputed
institutions to ensure compliance with international benchmarks and market
requirements,” he said.
The minister made the remarks while speaking as chief
guest at a consultation workshop held at the CIRDAP auditorium in the city,
said a press release.
In the workshop, a Development Project Proforma (DPP) was
presented for a proposed initiative based on a study titled “Assessment of
Competitiveness of Bangladesh’s Potential Private Sectors.”
The minister underscored that the country’s export
expansion ambitions are achievable if reforms and sector-specific interventions
are implemented in a coordinated and timely manner.
Highlighting Bangladesh’s upcoming graduation from the
Least Developed Country (LDC) category, the minister noted that maintaining
global competitiveness after graduation remains a key challenge.
He stressed the need for enhanced industrial skills,
stronger innovation capacity, and faster adoption of modern technologies.
He also drew attention to persistent delays in development
project implementation, calling for greater efficiency, timely execution, and
adaptability to technological change.
On the jute sector, the commerce minister emphasized the
importance of shifting from raw jute exports to value-added jute products and
diversified jute-based textiles, which offer significantly higher export
returns.
He also noted that the government plans to advance joint
research and innovation initiatives with China to strengthen technological
capabilities and expand international cooperation in this sector.
Commerce Secretary Md. Ataur Rahman Khan, who chaired the
workshop, said the ministry is preparing an integrated project worth around
Taka 3,000 crore aimed at boosting export capacity and addressing post-LDC
challenges.
He said the second phase of the initiative will
incorporate practical experiences and demands from the private sector to ensure
greater effectiveness.
The minister added that the project will be aligned with
national budget priorities, with a focus on export recovery and reconstruction,
improving the ease of doing business through digitalization, and simplifying
policy support and administrative procedures.
The Export Promotion Bureau (EPB) is being considered as
the implementing agency for the initiative, which is expected to strengthen
coordination between the government and the business community, he added.
The workshop featured a keynote presentation by Dr. M.A. Razzaque, Chairman of Research and Policy Integration for Development (RAPID).
