23 firms picked for accolades

The government, for the first time, is going to honour 23 small, medium and large companies with the "Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Industrial Award" for their contribution to industrialisation, job creation, product diversification and innovation.

The industries ministry will award the firms in seven categories, including large, medium and hi-tech, to encourage innovation and investment.

Outstanding entrepreneurs in the micro, small, cottage and handcrafts industries will also be recognised, according to a notification issued by the industries ministry on June 27.

"We want to honour the industrialists in September this year," said Industries Secretary Zakia Sultana.

The ministry announced the names of the awardees more than one and a half years after it introduced the Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Industrial Award 2019 with a goal to recognise entrepreneurs for their efforts, creativity and innovation.

Sultana said activities related to the award got delayed because of the outbreak of Covid-19. 

Businesses have been selected through scrutiny by a high-level committee headed by the industries minister, she added.

The move to recognise industrialists comes as the manufacturing sector's contribution to the economy is growing steadily.

The manufacturing sector posted double-digit growth in the last several years and now accounts for one-fourth of the country's gross domestic product, data from the Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics showed.

The awardees will not be eligible for the same accolade in the next three years.

Four business firms -- Square Pharmaceuticals, Jaj Bhuiyan Textile Mills, Adury Apparels, and Universal Jeans, Chattogram -- were selected for the award under the large industry category.

Auko Tex Ltd, Fortune Shoes, Rahimafrooz Renewable Energy, and Madhobdi Dyeing Finishing Mills were picked under the medium industry category.

Under the small industry category, Aman Plastic Industries, SR Handicrafts in Pabna, and Alim Industries in Sylhet have been chosen for the accolade.

M/S Karukola, Jamalpur, Trim Tex Bangladesh in Dhaka, and Janata Engineering in Chuadanga have won the award in the micro-industry category.

ServicEngine, Super Star Electronics, and Mir Telecom will be recognised under the hi-tech industry category.

Classical Handmade Products BD of Nilphamari, Ayojon Jashore, and Sonargaon Nakhsikatha Mohila Unnayan Sangstha of Narayanganj were selected under the handicrafts industry category.

Cumilla Arts and Crafts, Rongmela Nari Kalyan Sangstha (Narayanganj), and Agroj (Dhaka) are set to be awarded in the cottage industry category.