The 8th International Women’s SME Expo Bangladesh 2014 kicked off at Pologround field in Chittagong city yesterday.
Chittagong Women Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CWCCI) organised the month-long fair and was inaugurated by Commerce Minister Tofail Ahmed around 7:15pm. The inauguration programme was presided over by CWCCI President Kamrun Malek.
The fair was jointly associated by Export Promotion Bureau (EPB), the Federation of Bangladesh Chamber of Commerce and Industry, SME Foundation and Jute Diversification Promotion Centre (JDPC). The expo will remain open for all from morning hours till night.
Commerce Minister Tofail Ahmed, addressing as chief guest, said Bangladesh would touch the Tk50 billion milestone of income from export in its 50th anniversary of independence in 2021.
Land Ministry Junior Minister Saifuzzaman Chowdhury Javed said women were advancing in the business sector which was an indicator of the country’s development.
“The Awami League has vast plans to make the country a developed one within 2040 and the government is working with the vision, giving priority to the port city especially,” he said.
Chittagong Development Authority Chairman Abdus Salam, Lawmaker Wasika Aeysha Khan, FBCCI President Kazi Akram Uddin and Vice-President Helal Uddin were present at the inauguration programme, among others