Bangladesh’s furniture industry requires skilled manpower in order to earn more foreign exchange through exports while meeting domestic demand, Commerce Minister Tipu Munshi said yesterday.

Small and light engineering industries in Saidpur have helped the railway town emerge as a hub for producing valuable machinery and spare parts consumed by various sectors, thus cutting dependence on imports, saving foreign currencies and generating jobs for thousands.

Expatriates’ Welfare and Overseas Employment Minister Nurul Islam says the Bangladesh government is determined to prevent illegal migration and promote regular migration to Australia.