Economy
Tipu Munshi: Holiday market will motivate entrepreneurs & consumers
Commerce Minister Tipu Munshi on Friday (13 December) said the holiday market is a new idea in the country and launching holiday market similar to the developed world would motivate entrepreneurs and consumers.
He also said that there is a potential to encourage the entrepreneurs of the SME sector as many entrepreneurs have stepped into the SME sector and the quality of their products is also very good.
The Commerce Minister said these while addressing the inaugural ceremony of the “DNCC Oikkyo Holiday Market” at the ICT Road at Agargaon in Dhaka.
The Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC) has launched it as a pilot project to sell the products of the SME sector.
Mentioning that the contributions of the SME sector are still 25 percent, Tipu said that such percentage should be increased to 50 percent to make an impact on the entire market of the country.
Citing that most of the entrepreneurs of the SME sector are female, he said that the womenfolk should be given more scope to contribute to the holiday market.
The Commerce Minister said the entrepreneurs of the SME sector have opened up a new door of potential. In order to ensure economic emancipation, there is a need to develop further this SME sector, he added.
He also called upon all to play their due role from their respective positions to make the operations of the holiday market successful
Tipu said such an environment should be created so entrepreneurs and consumers become more interested in holiday market.
The holiday market will feature leather goods, jute-made goods, handicrafts, fashion and lifestyle products, home decor products, organic agricultural products, and agricultural products of the CHT region.
Presided over by DNCC Mayor Atiqul Islam, CEO of DNCC Md Selim Reza, DMP additional commissioner Mir Rezaul Alam and DNCC 28 number ward councillor Haji Md Forkan Hossain, among others, spoke on the occasion.
Expatriate Bangladeshis sent approximately US$ 2.11 billion in remittances during the first 28 days of September in the fiscal year 2024-25, according to data released by Bangladesh Bank on 29 September.
Of this total, state-owned and specialised banks handled $679.10 million, while private banks received $1.43 billion in remittances.
Chief Adviser to Bangladesh’s interim government, Professor Muhammad Yunus, has vowed to expedite reforms and hold elections swiftly. Yunus, who recently assumed the role after the collapse of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s 15-year administration, expressed his commitment during an interview with Tokyo-based news outlet NHK WORLD in New York on Sunday. He was attending the United Nations General Assembly at the time.
Following mass student-led protests that ended Hasina’s long-standing rule in August, Yunus stepped in as the leader of the caretaker government. Known for founding Grameen Bank, an institution providing microloans to the underprivileged, Yunus, along with the bank, earned the Nobel Peace Prize in 2006 for his efforts in poverty alleviation.
During the interview, Yunus emphasized that the interim government’s primary mission is to implement reforms promptly and ensure elections are held as soon as the groundwork is complete. He underscored the importance of success, stating, “Failure is not something that we can accept.”
Addressing the pivotal role of students in the ousting of the Hasina administration, Yunus acknowledged the sacrifices made by young people, referring to their involvement as part of a “revolution.” He highlighted his intention to engage the younger generation in shaping policy.
Furthermore, Yunus called for continued support from Japan, Bangladesh’s largest donor, during this crucial transition period. He stressed that Japan’s assistance is vital to stabilizing Bangladesh’s economy and fostering a democratic foundation in the nation.
Syeda Rizwana Hasan, the Adviser for Environment, Forests, and Climate Change, announced today that steps will be taken to restrict the use of polythene shopping bags to safeguard future generations.
Starting from October 1, polythene bags will be banned in shopping malls, followed by a ban in kitchen markets from November 1.
“Everyone must take responsibility and stop using polythene voluntarily. Action against polythene producers will begin from November 1,” Rizwana Hasan stated during a seminar.
The Department of Environment (DoE) organized the seminar to raise public awareness about alternatives to banned polythene bags.
Rizwana Hasan highlighted that the restriction on polythene will be executed in phases according to legal provisions, and discussions with shopping centers and store owners are ongoing to ensure a smooth transition.
She also announced plans to make the government secretariat a plastic-free zone by December.
Other speakers at the seminar included Environment Secretary Dr. Farhina Ahmed, DoE Director General Dr. Abdul Hamid, Director Rajinara Begum, President of the Shop Owners Association Muhammad Helal Uddin, and Md. Arifur Rahman Bhuiyan, Assistant Professor of Environmental Science at BUP. They discussed the harmful effects of polythene and the need for alternative products.
Earlier, Rizwana Hasan inaugurated a fair showcasing eco-friendly alternatives to polythene bags and visited 24 stalls. The fair featured products from government and private entrepreneurs, including reusable bags, jute bags, paper bags, and items made from bamboo and cane.
