Sanjay Kumar Bhowmick (Grade-1), Chairman, BSIC was present as the chief guest in the seminar. Kamrun Nahar Siddiqa, Additional Secretary, Ministry of Industries was present as special guest. The seminar was presided over by Abu Taher Muhammad Jaber, Chief Executive Officer, Bangladesh Tourism Board. Professor Dr. was present as a speaker in the seminar. Santosh Kumar Deb, Chairman, Department of Tourism and Hospitality Management, University of Dhaka and the keynote was presented by former Additional Secretary to the Government of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh and tourism expert Javed Ahmed.
Abdun Nasser Khan, Director (Marketing, Design and Crafts), BSIC delivered the welcome speech. BCIC’s Honorable Director (Administration) Shyamoli Nabi, various senior officials of BCIC, officials of various public and private institutions, business representatives related to industry, non-governmental development organizations, development cooperative organizations, representatives of print and electronic media were also present. The program was moderated by Sheikh Ali Ashraf Farooq, Designer, BSIC.
In the speech of the chief guest, Sanjay Kumar Bhowmick (Grade-1) first remembered the greatest Bengali father of the nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman with deep respect. At the same time, he highlighted the importance of industry in building Vision 2041, an industrially rich Smart Bangladesh under the leadership of Bangabandhu’s daughter. He said, “BSIC has always played a leading role in the development and growth of small and cottage industries. These industries are of immense importance in the development of the tourism industry. By connecting with the tourism industry, we can create new employment opportunities.” Also recently, the number of tourists within our country is increasing at a geometric rate. In this case, the contribution of BCCI is 11 percent. More than 10 lakh jobs have been created in BC in the industrial sector out of which more than 3 lakh are women. He highlighted the importance of small and cottage industries by declaring handicraft products as the Product of the Year 2024 by the Hon’ble Prime Minister. He said, Tourism Board and BSIC are not different. The product market of our country is extensive. He opined that BSIC and Tourism Board should work together for state and national interest. Addressing the representatives of print and electronic media present at the seminar, he said that the country belongs to all of us, so it is the responsibility of all of us to highlight the country, highlight the immense beauty and importance of the country’s tourist centers. Finally, he said with the slogan, “We will all come forward according to the instructions of the honorable Prime Minister in the construction of Smart Bangladesh in 2041. Let this be our firm commitment today.”
Special guest Kamrun Nahar Siddiqa said, “Small and cottage industries are playing an important role in the economy of Bangladesh. Our traditional handicrafts, textiles and other small and cottage industry products are able to attract foreign tourists.” The president of the seminar, Abu Taher Muhammad Jaber, said, “The role of small and cottage industry is very important in presenting the natural beauty, historical places and cultural heritage of Bangladesh to the tourists. Special incentives from the government are needed to promote the tourism industry and small and cottage industries. Javed Ahmed mentioned in his article that it is necessary to formulate specific policies to strengthen the role of small and cottage industries in the development of tourism industry in Bangladesh. Moreover, innovative initiatives are needed to develop attractive products and services for tourists.
The seminar was attended by officials at various levels of BSIC and Tourism Board, industry and tourism organizations, small and cottage industry entrepreneurs, educationists and policy makers.
An open discussion session was organized at the end of the seminar, where the guests presented their views and suggestions. They discussed various aspects of inter-relationship between tourism industry and small and cottage industries and expressed their commitment to work together for the development of these industries. Finally, the organizers of the seminar thanked everyone present and announced the end of the seminar.
