Speaking at the inauguration of the seven-day 11th National Small and Medium Enterprises Fair in Dhaka recently, she urged stakeholders to prioritise waste management alongside industrial development to safeguard the nation's well-being.
Sheikh Hasina underscored the importance of planning and health considerations in industrialisation, urging industries to prevent waste discharge into rivers and water bodies. Stressing the need to avert climate change-induced losses, she called for attention to environmental impact mitigation measures.
Furthermore, she urged industrialists to ensure safe working conditions for labourers while enhancing their livelihoods to boost industrial output. While advocating for mechanisation with world-class machinery, she cautioned against diminishing labour force participation, encouraging labour-intensive industries to create more job opportunities.
The Prime Minister called upon youth to embrace entrepreneurship and urged for increased opportunities for women to become entrepreneurs, highlighting the government's support through SME facilities, including low-interest loans.
Expressing satisfaction with the significant female representation among SME entrepreneurs, she attributed this progress to enhanced support for women entrepreneurs.
Sheikh Hasina outlined the government's initiatives, including the construction of 100 economic zones to attract both foreign and local investments.
Inaugurating the SME fair, the Prime Minister anticipated its role in inspiring entrepreneurship and economic growth among attendees.
Fibre2Fashion News Desk (DR)