Govt to launch ‘One Stop Service’ to ease harassment of industrial entrepreneurs
At present, an entrepreneur has to go to 35 departments for a project, now to be taken care of at a ‘One Stop Service’ office
The government is going to introduce One Stop Service to alleviate the harassment of industrial entrepreneurs as part of the government's plan to formulate a simple industrial policy to build an industrialised country.
"The government wants to formulate an industry-friendly industrial policy so that entrepreneurs can easily build factories. At present, an entrepreneur has to go to 35 departments for a project but we want it to be done in one office with 'One Stop Service'," said Md Selim Uddin, additional secretary for (policy, law and international co-operation) the industries ministry, at a workshop on Thursday.
The workshop titled "Partnership Consultation Workshop for Formulation of National Industrial Policy-2021" was held in the conference room of the Chattogram Divisional Commissioner.
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Md Salim Ullah, senior assistant secretary (policy), industries ministry, said, "Eco-friendly industrialisation is an essential prerequisite for sustainable economic development. To that end, the government is focusing on building environment-friendly factories."
"To achieve success in the Fourth Industrial Revolution, the main objective of formulating this new National Industrial Policy-2021, is to achieve the growth target through industrialisation by joint public-private efforts and to create massive employment opportunities, increasing efficiency in the country," he added.
He said the policy aims at improving the contribution of industry to national income from 35% to 40%, increasing the contribution of the labour force from 25% to 30%, and achieving the maximum benefits of the fourth industrial revolution based on information technology.
Experts at the programme also recommended setting up at least three industrial parks for women entrepreneurs along with promoting the indigenous weaving industry and strengthening the one district--one product system.
Dr Mohammad Sohrab Uddin, Professor at the Asian University for Women, said, "Even though there is copyright law in the country, the government has to actively work to enact intellectual property law. Otherwise, large companies will swallow up the innovative ideas of smaller ones."
Consumer Association of Bangladesh(CAB), Chattogram Divisional President, SM Nazer Hossain, said, "Banks are not giving loans to small and new entrepreneurs. Again, small enterprises are not coming under the purview of the government's stimulus packages. That is why it has become impossible for small businesses to survive."
Water Development Board research shows that the groundwater level in Chattogram district has gone down 20 metres in the last 40 years. Industrialists in the region are in danger only because of the water crisis despite investing large sums of money.
Regarding the issue, Additional Secretary Selim Uddin said, "Industries must emphasise the use of rainwater and surface water. No industrial plant can run on groundwater. If necessary, they can purify the river water before using it."
Chattogram Deputy Commissioner Mohammad Mominur Rahman, who presided over the workshop, said, "We have become an industrial country from an agricultural country and need to change our mindset. We have to think about what we need to do to serve an industrialised country or region."
Additional Divisional Commissioner (Development) Mizanur Rahman delivered the welcome speech on the occasion.
President of Chittagong Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Mahbubul Alam, and senior officials of various organisations in Chattogram spoke at the function as special guests.
