DHAKA, Feb 27, 2024 (BSS) - President Mohammed Shahabuddin today urged the businessmen, industrialists and entrepreneurs to explore more export markets in the globe along with establishing safe and environment-friendly industries.

"Provide all-out efforts to increase productivity . . . Expand the export-market to all possible parts of the world," he said while addressing a function at Bangabandhu International Conference Center (BICC) here coinciding with 'National Textile Day-2024'.

The head of the state also asked all concerned to produce diversified export items instead of relying on a few products along with increasing investment and employment in the textile sector.

He stressed prioritizing economic diplomacy saying that the diplomatic missions can be used for the purpose.

Shahabuddin called on all concerned including the business leaders to be vigilant so that no vicious circle or self-interested clique can destroy the atmosphere of production-oriented factories.

"To maintain the conducive atmosphere of the production-oriented mill- factories, we must have to be vigilant. . . The government always remains with you," he said.

The president said businessmen, industrialists and investors should come forward to find out more international markets with producing new items using technical education and modern technology.

He also stressed developing skilled manpower in the textile sector.

The president called foreign trade as more challenging, competitive and knowledge-based, saying business leaders must have to take a concerted initiative to face the challenges. 

The head of the state asked the business leaders to ensure the legitimate rights and wages of the workers, dubbing the workers as the driving force of manufacturing industries.

He said, "Factories and workers are inseparable parts. If the workers remain good, the factory will stay good." 

He reminded the businessmen that business is not only for profit. "You (business people) have to take social responsibility as well," he said.

Shahabuddin said the government is firm to make the garment and textile sector more capable, strong, safe and modern to face the competition in the world. 

He suggested the entrepreneurs or factory owners to adopt new technologies to counter the challenges of the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR) as per the need of the global markets. 

The president also referred to the significant role of textile and jute sector in the society, economy, culture, industrialization and employment generation.

He said multifaceted action plans should be formulated and implemented for the expansion of the textile sector, considering the needs of the domestic and international market.

He said the role of textile industry, country's largest labor intensive sector, is most important in building 'Smart Bangladesh' and it is possible to develop 'smart textile' sector by increasing the use of modern machinery and information technology. 

The president said textile sector also ensures employments to many people, including female who accounts for 80% of its total workforce. 

As many as 85% of the country's total export income comes from the textiles industry which is playing an important role in alleviating rural poverty, empowering women and creating employment opportunities, he added.

The head of the state hoped that the textile sector would play a significant role in making a developed and prosperous 'Smart Bangladesh' in line with the 'Vision 2041' designed by Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.

Mentioning the history of country's textile industry as the ancient and glorious, he said all the programmes and activities undertaken by the present government would expedite development of textile sector and make it attractive to foreign investors as well. 

Textiles and Jute Minister Jahangir Kabir Nanak presided over the function. 

Secretary of the ministry Md Abdur Rauf, Bangladesh Textile Mills Association (BTMA) President Mohammad Ali Khokon and Bangladesh Garments Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) Vice-President Md Shahidullah Azam also spoke.

A documentary on 'National Textile Day 2023' was screened at the function. 

A total of 11 institutions or businessmen were awarded on the occasion. 

President Shahabuddin joined a photo session as well.