Finance Minister Shah AMS Kibria yesterday assured sup port to the import-substitute industries, side by side the ex port-oriented units, but said that no shield would be pro vided to protect them from ex ternal competition, reports UNB.

'Our primary foci is is to sup Eort export-oriented industries, ut that does not mean we II not pay attention to the import-substitute units. Of course, we ll do that." he told the opening session of a two-day seminar in the city.

Inaugurating the seminar at the NEC auditorium, the minister said the import-substitute industries would no longer enjoy the protection of high tariff wall as the government was gradually lowering the tariff rates.

The import-substitute industries would have to face external competition, he said of the units which once were protected by high tariff wall from com petition, severely limiting their production capabilities

In this context, the minister referred to the Indian industries

which once enjoyed protection of high tarifl wall but finally had to grapple with stiff competition from the outer world when the tariff rates had been lowered.

Bangladesh Institute of Development Studies (BIDS) in collaboration with the British Council in Dhaka organised the seminar, titled External Competitiveness ol Bangladesh In dustries: Review of Achieve ments and Towards a Policy Agenda."

Referring to increased competition in the world market. Kibria said the Bangladesh in dustry would not be able to maintain its competitiveness based on lower wages for long as the wages would go up with increased economic activities.

He mentioned the examples of Japan. Hong Kong and Inai land where wages were low be fore their industrialisation, but as manufacturing sectors got momentum, wages became much higher in those countries

In this connection, the minister called lor enhancing productivity of labour force by imparting them skill development

training and education. "We have to focus our attention to increase our productivity." he said.

He also emphasised increased investment in education and skill development schemes and said the nation would have to keep up its competitiveness in this very competitive world.

Pointing at the Increased number of seminars and workshops. Kibria regretted that there had been a lack of coordination between the organisers and the respective Industry that minimised objectives of such functions.

Are the industries aware of such kind of activities." he questioned, noting that the industry was lacking Interest on such activities. He said the organisers should give more attention to the respective industries.

Addressing the function. British Deputy High Commissioner Miriam McIntosh said Bangladesh s exports to the United Kingdom was growing steadily and the products quality from here needed to be Im-

proved lo maintain markets

She said the political stability should be continued, the overseas image of the country enhanced and the airports and the Chittagong port developed for a striving export sector.

Moreover. a transparent and accountable administration is needed to deal with the industry and an effective body for quality assurance, the British diplomat said.

BIDS director general Abu Ahmed Abdullah. British Council director Tom Cowin. University of Strathclyde link coordinator Dr Mozammel Haq and BIDS link coordinator Dr Zaid Bakht also spoke at the Inaugural session

In the day s only working session. Prof James Love of the University of Strathclyde presented a paper on "External Competitiveness and Economic Development" an Overview of Issues'

Former Finance Adviser Dr Wahiduddin Mahmud was the lead discussant while Prof Rehman Sobhan. Executive Director of the Centre for Policy Dialogue chaired the session