Industries Minister Tofail Ahmed said on Thursday the potieiv sector is upholding our national heritage and the go\ eminent is committed to developing it, reports BSS.

He was addressing the prize giving ceremony of ji.niuii.il contest and exhibition on Pottery 2000 at L Alliance I ran-caise in the city

Jointly organised by Bangladesh Small and Cottage Industries Corporation (BSCIC) and L’ Alliance Francaise Dhaka, the function was also addressed by the Director of L’ Alliance Francaise Andre Raynouard. French Ambassador to Bangladesh Michel Lummaux and BSC1C Chairman Ziaul Islam Chowdhury -

With the assistance of the French government BSCIC is providing training to craftsmen, artisans and potters to improve their skills for product quality. Among them. I 10 potters from 20 districts with 527 craftsmen are participating in the week-long exhibition, which will conclude on November 15

Appreciating the French government for the improvement of craftsmanship, the minister said France Is always supporting Bangladesh since its independence.

He said. Pascal Lamy, a French national with the capacity of EU trade negotiator supported strongly the Bangladesh proposal for duty and quota-tree market access to LDCs to others’ markets.

He said the 15* member EU. of which France is a member, has already declared to provide this facility to the LDCs. He said about 20.000 craftsmen throughout Bangladesh, mainly in rural areas, are engaged in the pottery sector. He aid that BSCIC would do more for the promotion of their products and quality improvement.