Businessmen have the most contribution towards making Bangladesh exemplary in the world arena. There is no alternative to increasing the capacity of businesses to make the development of the country sustainable. It requires product diversification rather than relying on a single product.
This was stated by the speakers at the CIP Card Distribution Ceremony among Commercially Important Persons (CIPs) on Thursday (20 January). Commerce Minister Tipu Munshi was the chief guest at the function held at Sonargaon Hotel in Dhaka. Jashim Uddin, President of FBCCI and Tapan Kanti Ghosh, Senior Secretary of Ministry of Commerce spoke on the occasion. Welcoming remarks were made by EPB Vice Chairman AHM Ahsan.
At the ceremony, CIP cards were given to 138 traders (export) for their significant contribution in export trade in 2018. At the same time, CIP cards (trade) were given to 38 members of the FBCCI board of directors of that time. The Commerce Minister handed over the CIP cards to everyone.
The government has selected these individuals as CIPs in accordance with the CIP (export) Policy-2013 for their significant contribution to the country’s export trade. Selected persons (export) will enjoy all types of CIP benefits for the next year. After one year has passed, they will remain CIPs till the announcement of new CIPs the next year. However, the term of the CIPs selected from the FBCCI will remain in force till the tenure of their organization or the next CIP announcement, whichever comes earlier.
Speaking on the occasion, the Commerce Minister said that business capacity needs to be enhanced. Negotiations are underway to conclude free trade agreements (FTAs) with various countries. ‘Business is shifting from Vietnam,’ he said. ‘Many are also shifting elsewhere due to the power crisis in China. We want to take advantage of this opportunity. We need to create opportunities for those who are moving elsewhere. With this goal in mind, the government is establishing 100 economic zones.’
The Commerce Secretary said that in 2020, an international organization had said that 20 lac people would die from COVID-19 in Bangladesh. But their information has been proven wrong. As a result of the hard work of the entrepreneurs, Bangladesh has performed better during COVID-19 compared to other countries. He said the government was emphasising on export diversification.
