Call for separate industrial policy, tax holiday for ten years

They also demanded exemption of duty on import of machinery for setting up industries in Rangpur and exemption of VAT on products at the initial stage.

The Daily Star organised the roundtable titled 'Prospects of and obstacles to industrialisation in Rangpur' at Rangpur Rotary Centre Auditorium on Tuesday.

Leaders of Rangpur Chamber of Commerce and Industry, politicians, bankers and civil society members took part in the discussion. Editor of The Daily Star Mahfuz Anam moderated the roundtable.

Only industrialisation can help alleviate poverty in Rangpur and its adjoining districts, the speakers said and urged the government to meet their demands in this regard.

A large number of people in the region are unemployed, said GM Quader, a lawmaker from Rangpur-3 constituency. "Poverty cannot be reduced unless they are provided with job opportunities."

He underscored the need for a separate industrial policy and incentives such as bank loan with low interest rates to attract investors.

The lawmaker identified the lack of infrastructure as the major obstacle to industrialisation in the northern region. He also demanded gas supply in Rangpur and its adjoining districts.

Mostafa Azad Choudhury, president of Rangpur Chamber of Commerce and Industry, said there are huge prospects of developing agro-based industries, agricultural machinery industry, milk processing industry and jute industry in the region.

He called for providing bank loans with 10 per cent interest rates on easy terms to entrepreneurs.

He also called for opening a branch of Export Promotion Bureau in Rangpur to help export-oriented industries.