The advisor for industries, Adilur Rahman Khan, announced that industrial plots allocated based on political considerations by the Bangladesh Small and Cottage Industries Corporation (BSCIC) under the previous government would be revoked. Speaking at the Annual Conference and Workshop 2025 in Dhaka, Khan emphasized the necessity of canceling allocations to individuals who were not genuine entrepreneurs, leading to many vacant plots.
Khan underscored the crucial role played by small, cottage, and medium industries in driving industrialization. He emphasized that the backbone of the economy lies in the millions of small-scale entrepreneurs in rural and semi-urban areas, rather than large corporate entities.
Highlighting the significant contribution of small industries to the GDP, Khan noted that they account for approximately 25 percent of the GDP and nearly 80 percent of employment in the industrial sector. He stressed the importance of prioritizing the development of small industries.
Acknowledging the grassroots presence of the BSCIC compared to other industrial organizations, Khan recognized the persistent complaints from entrepreneurs regarding bureaucratic delays, limited access to funding, and insufficient services. He advocated for empowering grassroots entrepreneurs by simplifying loan processes, introducing collateral-free loans, and overcoming banking hurdles through reforms.
Khan expressed apprehension regarding the underutilization of industrial estates, particularly those located outside Dhaka, which often experience shortages of gas and electricity. He called for the removal of bureaucratic obstacles and the transformation of the BSCIC into an efficient online platform offering comprehensive services.
Encouraging district-level officials to promote youth entrepreneurship in line with the inclusive ethos of the July movement, Khan urged them to facilitate young individuals in becoming creators of job opportunities rather than job seekers.