A specialised economic zone (SEZ) is needed in Bogra exclusively for the small and medium enterprises (SMEs). Besides, appropriate infrastructure and communication development is a must to support and encourage entrepreneurs in this sector. The government should focus on necessary budgetary allocations and fiscal-monetary incentives to support the growth of SMEs in Bogra. Special attention should be given to addressing the problems facing the women SME entrepreneurs. These observations were made at the Centre for Policy Dialogue’s (CPD) pre-budget dialogue titled Development of Small and Medium Enterprises of the Bogra Region: Challenges and Initiatives held on Thursday at Parjatan Motel Conference Hall, Bogra, said a press statement. The dialogue was organised by the CPD jointly with National Association of Small and Cottage Industries of Bangladesh (NASCIB) and Sacheton Nagorik Committee (SANAC), Bogra. The dialogue was organised as part of CPD’s annual activities related to the national budget under its flagship programme on Independent Review of Bangladesh’s Development (IRBD). Additional Research Director of CPD Dr Khondaker Golam Moazzem presented the keynote on “National Budget and Decentralised Development of SMEs: A Case Study of SME Clusters in Bogra” at the dialogue. The presentation focused on allocative trends for SMEs in the national budgets from fiscal year (FY) 2004-05 to FY 2014-15 and major challenges facing the SME sector, particularly in the SME clusters in Bogra. He put emphasis on issues of raising competitiveness, access to finance and regulatory regime governing SME development in Bangladesh. Member of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Ministry of Agriculture Abdul Mannan, MP, was the chief guest at the event. He stressed the need for setting up specialised cold storage facility in remote areas of Bogra. He also highlighted the need for effective coordination between NASCIB and Bangladesh Small and Cottage Industries Corporation (BSCIC) which will help entrepreneurs to address some of the key challenges facing the sector. He observed that recommendations emerging from the dialogue will help policymakers in designing appropriate fiscal-institutional policies particularly in view of preparing district budgets. Deputy Commissioner of Bogra Ashraf Uddin, present at the event as the special guest, informed the audience that the district administration is committed to providing all the necessary support and services to the SME sector in Bogra to help it flourish. Chief Executive Officer of TMSS (Thengamara Mohila Sabuj Sangha) Dr Hosne Ara Begum highlighted the need for gas connection to the SMEs. She also emphasised the need for more investment in infrastructure in Bogra. Participants at the dialogue observed that in many cases they were not receiving the concessional loans even when they were entitled as SME entrepreneurs. They also highlighted the need for a common and well-coordinated platform which could play an important role in promoting the interests of SMEs in Bogra. There was a common demand that a special economic zone should be established, with all necessary infrastructure, utility and support services, which was to be dedicated for SMEs only. CPD Executive Director Prof Mustafizur Rahman in his introductory remarks informed that the various proposals emerging from this dialogue covering institutional, fiscal, regulatory initiatives and budgetary support will help CPD in its preparation of proposals for the upcoming FY 2016-17 budget. President of NASCIB-Bogra T Zaman Niketa, in his statement, highlighted some of the problems and challenges faced by SMEs in Bogra and urged the authorities to look into this with due urgency. The programme was chaired by President of SANAC-Bogra chapter AKM Bazlul Karim Bahar, with Mayor of Bogra Municipality AKM Mahbubur Rahman as the special guest; and President of Bogra Chamber of Commerce & Industry Md Masudur Rahman Milon as the guest of honour. The floor discussion was participated by SME entrepreneurs, representatives of SME associations, NGO officials, trade union members, bankers, economists, academicians and local elected representatives, among others.
