Commerce Minister Tofail Ahmed said both the areas and number of CIP will be increased to recognise the contribution of the country’s businessmen.
He was addressing a function held at a city hotel yesterday to hand over CIP status for the FY2012-13.
A number of 147 have been awarded status in the function for their contribution to the country’s export sector and trade.
The names of the commercially important persons (CIP) for the fiscal year 2013-14 will be declared by June next year, Tofail Ahmed said.
“The areas to award CIP status are now limited. They will be extended to give more businessmen the status,” commerce minister said.
Of the 147 awarded CIP, 101 got the status for their outstanding performance in export of different products and 46 for contribution to trade.
FBCCI president Kazi Akram Uddin Ahmed also spoke at the function as special guest.
“The recognition will encourage other businessmen,” chief of the apex trade body said.
He urged the government to ensure all the facilities under the status to the businessmen who received it.
FBCCI first vice president Monowara Hakim Ali received the status in the ex-officio category.
She said there is a good number of indigenous women entrepreneurs in the hill tracts making different exportable items.
Recognition of their works will also encourage them, Monowara Hakim said.
She alleged although the government is giving CIP status, the holders do not receive all due facilities under the 2013 policy.
MD Saiful Islam, Managing Director of PICARD Bangladesh Limited, called on the government to form an advisory council for product and market diversification.
Saiful Islam, also a recipient of the CIP status, said 94% of the country’s export earnings come from seven traditional products.
Despite global recession in 2008, euro zone crisis 2010 and Bangaldesh’s political unrest in 2013, the country has continued to register a steady growth in export as well as in the GDP, which was possible for the businessmen, he said.
According to the CIP Export Policy-2013, the government gives CIP status to the businessmen from 22 sectors based on the export earnings, market diversification and exploration and volume of export in the previous year. But this year the status was given to 18 sectors.
The ministry can award CIP status to 188 businesspeople in two categories of which 140 from exporters and 48 from ex-officio category.
According to the policy, the CIP card holders will enjoy privileges for the next one year, which include a pass and a car sticker for entering the Secretariat, invitation to national functions or municipalities, seat reservations in the government transports including Bangladesh Biman and railway and letter of introduction from the foreign ministry for travelling abroad.
They will also be allowed to use VIP lounge-2 at the country’s airports during travels.
