BSCIC opens two-day Annual Conference and Workshop 2025

The two-day 'Annual Conference and Workshop 2025' of the Bangladesh Small and Cottage Industries Corporation (BSCIC) was inaugurated today.

Wednesday, 3 December marked the opening day, which commenced at 11am with recitations from the holy scriptures in the conference room of the BSCIC Bhaban.

BSCIC Chairman Md Saiful Islam delivered the welcome address and briefly outlined the organisation's activities. Among the guests present were Adviser to the Ministry of Industries, Adilur Rahman Khan, and Bangladesh Bank Governor, Dr Ahsan H Mansur.

At 12:30pm, a workshop titled 'BSCIC at 69: Achievements, Challenges and Opportunities' was held in the conference room, where several aspects of BSCIC's work were presented and discussed.

BSCIC Chairman Md Saiful Islam said that BSCIC is not merely an institution but a true embodiment of Bangladesh's industrialisation. He stated that the organisation remains determined to achieve its vision and goals, and is committed to contributing to national development and building a prosperous Bangladesh. He added that developing the cottage and small industry sector is essential to creating a happy, prosperous, and inclusive nation, and BSCIC will continue its efforts to ensure economic progress and self-reliance.

Discussing future plans, the chairman highlighted environmentally friendly new industrial cities and industrial parks, ensuring full allocation of unutilised plots in industrial estates, enhancing beekeeping through modern technology, and strengthening BSCIC's institutional capacity.

Bangladesh Bank Governor, Dr Ahsan H Mansur, said that efforts are underway to connect small entrepreneurs with the international payment sector. He noted that online purchases in the United States have increased significantly, with customers directly ordering goods from China. 'If that is possible, why would they not be able to buy our Jamdani from abroad?' he remarked.

The governor added that the cottage, micro, small, and medium sector plays a crucial role in employment generation, expanding production, increasing exports, and driving inclusive growth. He said that BSCIC continues to play an important role in training, credit support, and building technological capacity in line with technology-driven and innovation-based industrialisation, making the industrial sector more sustainable.

Adviser to the Ministry of Industries, Adilur Rahman Khan, began his remarks by remembering the martyrs of July and expressing sympathy for those injured in the July uprising, stating that their sacrifices remain the driving force behind the nation. He described BSCIC as a 69-year-old institution with a rich legacy of industrial development across the country. In the context of the July mass movement, he said that the 2025 conference is a timely and significant initiative that will inject new momentum into the nation's economic progress.

He added that Bangladesh must move towards a BSCIC that is transparent and entrepreneur-friendly. He wished the conference every success and thanked all involved.

Following his speech, guests unveiled the conference souvenir. They then visited the stalls at the BSCIC Bijoy Mela, praised the quality of products made by BSCIC entrepreneurs, and offered suggestions to maintain and further enhance this standard.