Taskforce for setting up 'Dhaka Haat' for SMEs

A taskforce of the interim government has recommended establishing a "Dhaka Haat" for small and medium enterprises (SMEs).

To promote SMEs, the government should consider setting up a "Dhaka Haat," modelled after Delhi's successful handicraft market, which operates year-round to showcase SME products, said a recent report of the taskforce. 

The taskforce observes that the Dhaka Haat can provide a dedicated space for local artisans and small businesses to display and sell their goods, fostering economic growth and encouraging entrepreneurship. 

"Managed under the SME Foundation, this initiative would not only enhance visibility for local products but also support capacity building within the SME sector," the report reads.

It said the vast and diverse grouping of SMEs also labelled as micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) lacks an organic justification and must be re-categorised. 

"Each category within the SME spectrum faces distinct challenges and opportunities, which should be recognised to ensure that policy support is effective and appropriately targeted."

Without addressing this need for re-categorisation, policy initiatives risk concentrating assistance on larger enterprises within the sector while neglecting smaller firms that may require tailored support to overcome their unique barriers, according to the report. 

The taskforce suggests that a targeted approach will ensure that all SMEs, regardless of size, receive the necessary assistance to thrive.

Education and Planning Adviser Professor Wahiduddin Mahmud handed over the report of the taskforce on "Re-strategising the Economy and Mobilising Resources for Equitable and Sustainable Development" to Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus on January 30 last.

The 12-member taskforce was formed on September 10 in 2024 to reframe the development strategies, find out leakages in the financial sector and restore discipline in project implementation.