President Abdul Hamid on Wednesday underscored the need for
establishing an Entrepreneurs Development University to make the
development activities of entrepreneurs more dynamic and professional
apart from checking the brain drain. “Most new ides of innovations
in most developed countries come through the endeavours of various
educational institutions. But teachers and students in our country
don’t feel inspired to involve themselves in new and innovative
activities for lack of necessary sponsorships. They go abroad as their
aptitude is not being valued in the country,” he said. The President
said this while addressing the inaugural ceremony of ‘Entrepreneurship
and Innovation Expo’ at the city’s Sonargoan Hotel. Dhaka Chamber of
Commerce and Industry (DCCI) in cooperation with Bangladesh Bank has
taken an initiative to create 2000 entrepreneurs throughout the
country. Speaking on the occasion, President Abdul Hamid said, “I
urge both the private and public sectors to come forward to evaluate
the merits of the youth as well as utilise their innovations. I think
establishment of an Entrepreneurs Development University is needed
under a public-private initiative to make the entrepreneurs
development activities more dynamic and professional.” Mentioning
that Bangladesh has become traditionally known in various regions on
special products, Abdul Hamid said, “In almost every upazila has more
or less such examples. Especially this type of regional division is
needed for untraditional products.” He went on: “The idea of ‘one
upazila one product’ can be implemented utilising the products and
tradition. This will help create new entrepreneurs introducing
Bangladesh with the rest of the world anew.” The rate of
unemployment is relatively more in Bangladesh, said the President
adding that lakhs of potentials youths enter the job market every
year. “A few of them are accommodated in various government and
private organisations. But it’s not possible to create employment
opportunities for a large number of people through only jobs.”
“That’s why the scope has to be created for the youths for
self-employment through businessmen-entrepreneurs. Mainly it is the
government duty but for various limitations it is not possible for
government’s alone to discharge the duty. Governments in many
countries of the world create creative entrepreneurs with the help of
the private sector. I’m delighted as well as optimistic that this type
of activities has begun in our country,” he said. Hailing the DCCI
initiative, the President said, “The main aim of the entrepreneurship
and innovation expo is to create a scope of new employments through
creating entrepreneurs. There has been ample opportunity in the
country to crate employments through creating entrepreneurs. I believe
the Dhaka Chamber with the support of Bangladesh Bank is creating
2,000 new entrepreneurs which will play a positive role in the
country’s industriliasation.” Many venture capital organisations in
various countries in the world have been working successfully for the
financial support of the new entrepreneurs, said the President adding
the matter did not flourish so much in Bangladesh for the lack of
necessary policies, observed the President. “I hope the government
will formulate necessary policies to flourish venture capital
organisation,” added the President. Abdul Hamid said, “It’
unfortunate but true that no step has been taken for specific
education curriculum with a view to developing entrepreneurs and
building proper leadership in the businesses. It’s urgent to formulate
pro-entrepreneurs education policy and education curriculum with a
view to creating new and successful entrepreneurs.” Governor of
Bangladesh Bank Dr Atiur Rahman, Federation of Bangladesh Chamber of
Commerce and Industry (FBCCI) President Kazi Akram Uddin Ahmed, DCCI
President Sabur Khan and President of American Chamber of Commerce
Aftab Ul Islam also spoke at the programme. – UNB
