A day-long national seminar on "Engineering Consultancy Services in Bangladesh" jointly organised by Bangladesh Engineering and Technological Services (BETS) Ltd and Bangladesh Association of Consulting Engineers (BACE) was held at BETS Centre In the city yesterday.

MM Afzal Hossain Chowdhury. Chairman of BETS Group of Companies opened the seminar.

Speaking on the occasion, he urged the different consulting firms of Bangladesh to get prepared and ivell equipped to face the challenge of the next millennium.

The inaugural session was attended by representatives from different consulting firms, high government officials and distinguished guests.

It was addressed, among others by Mahbub Hoque, President of BACE. Dr Shahjahan Kabir Chowdhury. MD of BETS, and others.

The first technical session was chaired by Dr ATM Sham-sul Huda. Secretary, Ministry of Water Resources.

A keynote paper entitled "Engineering Consultancy in Bangladesh at the threshold of Next Millennium” was .presented by Dr Shahjahan Kabir Chowdhury. In his paper, he elucidated the problems and potentialities of Bangladeshi Consulting firms.

The second session was presided over by Prof Jamilur Reza Chowdhury.

It was addressed, among others. by Mehboobur Rehman. HRD Group. Head. Transcom Ltd., MA Sobhan MD. DPM Ltd. and Dr A Atiq Rahman, Director, BCAS.

A keynote paper entitled "Human Resources Development for Consulting Practices: Current Dilemma and Future Challenges" was presented by . Mehboobur Rehman. HRD Group, Head, Transcom Ltd.

The speakers said that unless the qualities of professionals in engineering firms in respect of skill, knowledge and technology were developed, the future prospect of Bangladeshi firms regains quite bleak.