RAJSHAHI, Oct 20, 2021 (BSS) - Rajshahi Mayor AHM Khairuzzaman Liton has
called for more business and industrial investment in the region as there is
a business-friendly atmosphere here at present.

     More investment in the business and industrial sector has become crucial
for bolstering the economic condition of the region, which is very important
for improving living and livelihood conditions of the people, particularly
the marginalized and less-income groups.

     Mayor Liton came up with the observation while addressing a view-sharing
meeting in Rajshahi city on Tuesday evening as chief guest.

     Nitol Niloy Group hosted the meeting at Shaheed AHM Kamaruzzaman Zila
Parisahd Auditorium discussing and devising ways and means on how to promote
the business and industrial sector in the region.

     With Nitol Niloy Group Chairman Matlub Ahmad in the chair, the meeting
was addressed, among others, by Vice-chancellor of Rajshahi University Prof
Golam Sabbir Sattar, Assistant Indian High Commissioner Sanjib Kumar Bhatty,
President of Rajshahi Chamber of Commerce and Industries Muhammad
Muniruzzaman, Tata Motor SAARC Regional Manager Rustom Nagpurwala and its
Bangladesh Country Head Madhu Prokash Singh.

     Mayor Liton said exporting prospects of Rajshahi's products to the
international markets is very bright as it is famous for surplus production
of various goods including jute, silk, handicrafts and mango every year.

     He said there are huge potentialities of exporting products to different
global markets from Rajshahi round the year.

     "Rajshahi's jute, silk, handicrafts and mango are very familiar in world
markets. Among the nine products that have so far been registered as
Geographical Indications (GI) in Bangladesh, four are from Rajshahi," he
said.

     Liton also said prospect of agro-processing enterprises is bright in the
Rajshahi region as it produces surplus crops especially food-grains, fruits
and vegetables

     He viewed the region has enormous potential for making agro-processing
enterprises sustainable and profitable as it has been producing varieties of
fruits and vegetables contributing to the national economy.

     Liton focused on the agricultural potentials of the region with special
emphasis on value-added agro-processing opportunities and agro-based
industries. It could add to the industrialization efforts of agro-based and
agro-processing industry in the region for a sustainable and well-formed
linkage of production, processing and marketing.

     Establishment of agro-processing industries would encourage the farmers
to grow more high valued products for their higher income.

     He termed industrialization as the most relevant indicator of the
country's progress and prosperity.

     Liton told the meeting that the region has now been fulfilling 52
percent of the country's total food demand along with supplying 76 percent
raw-materials of the country's agro-based industries.

     "Unfortunately, there is not any big industrial unit here," he said.