Govt to address SME export barriers
The government will take initiatives to address hurdles faced by micro, small, and medium enterprise (MSME) entrepreneurs in exporting their products, said Lutfey Siddiqi, special envoy on international affairs to the chief adviser.
He gave the assurance at a roundtable titled "Ways to Facilitate SME Entrepreneurs' Exports and Connect Them to Global Markets," organised by the SME Foundation at Parjatan Bhaban in Dhaka, according to a statement issued yesterday.
For all latest news, follow The Daily Star's Google News channel. The roundtable was chaired by SME Foundation Chairperson Md Mushfiqur Rahman.
Entrepreneurs attending the discussion highlighted the challenges they face in exports, including delayed payments from buyers, obstacles in sending product samples, online transactions, and alleged harassment from customs, Bangladesh Bank, payment gateway companies, and commercial banks.
These issues, they said, lead to losses and undermine buyer confidence in timely product delivery.
Responding to their concerns, Siddiqi immediately instructed government and private sector representatives present at the event to work on solutions.
SMEs currently contribute around 30 percent to Bangladesh's economy. Over 85 percent of industrial employment is generated by this sector, the statement read.
The SME Foundation, established in 2006 under the Ministry of Industries, has so far supported about two million small and medium entrepreneurs, 60 percent of whom are women, according to the statement.
The government will take initiatives to address hurdles faced by micro, small, and medium enterprise (MSME) entrepreneurs in exporting their products, said Lutfey Siddiqi, special envoy on international affairs to the chief adviser.
He gave the assurance at a roundtable titled "Ways to Facilitate SME Entrepreneurs' Exports and Connect Them to Global Markets," organised by the SME Foundation at Parjatan Bhaban in Dhaka, according to a statement issued yesterday.
The roundtable was chaired by SME Foundation Chairperson Md Mushfiqur Rahman.
Entrepreneurs attending the discussion highlighted the challenges they face in exports, including delayed payments from buyers, obstacles in sending product samples, online transactions, and alleged harassment from customs, Bangladesh Bank, payment gateway companies, and commercial banks.
These issues, they said, lead to losses and undermine buyer confidence in timely product delivery.
Responding to their concerns, Siddiqi immediately instructed government and private sector representatives present at the event to work on solutions.
SMEs currently contribute around 30 percent to Bangladesh's economy. Over 85 percent of industrial employment is generated by this sector, the statement read.
The SME Foundation, established in 2006 under the Ministry of Industries, has so far supported about two million small and medium entrepreneurs, 60 percent of whom are women, according to the statement.