CHITTAGONG, Dec 31: Industries Minister A M Zahir uddin Khan has called upon the country's chemists, chemical engineers and industrial man agers to contribute their best to realise the objective of achieving a self-reliant national economy, reports UNB

The role of chemical scientists will redeem our solemn promise of poverty-alleviation and save our motherland from the scourge of abject and painful poverty", he said yester day.

The minister was inaugurating the 17th annual conference of Bangladesh ChenMcal Society In the premises of Chittagong Urea Fertilizer Factory.

Khan said the government, within a short period of two and a half years, has been able to stabilise the macro-economy and make the Taka convertible.

The measures taken by the government have contributed in creating international confidence and foreign Investment

has started tn the share market, he said *

There is no alternative to rapid industrialisation and ex pansion of the economy to create economic opportunities and large scale employment to meet the existing and expanding need of the unemployed.

Commending, the breakthrough achieved by the BCIC In using gteen jute as an effective pulp raw materials In a short period, the industries minister advised the corporation to use 100.000 tons green Jute for pulp making in a year's time.

BCIC Chairman Waseq al Azad. President of Bangladesh Chemical Society Prof Mesb ahuddin Ahmed and Managing Director of Chittagong Urea Fertilizer Factory Dr Sbafiqur Rahman also spoke on the occasion.

More than 400 delegates from across the country attended the conference.