Bangladesh Small and Cottage Industries Corporation (BSCIC) has adopted a new strategy to produce high-value-added products by combining local raw materials with modern designs and technology, while enhancing entrepreneurs’ skills and connecting producers directly with markets.
The initiatives are aimed at enhancing the competitiveness of Bangladeshi products in international markets following the country’s graduation from the Least Developed Country (LDC) category.
Newly appointed BSCIC Chairman Benazir Ahmed disclosed the initiatives in an interview with BSS recently.
He said the contribution of industries under BSCIC to the national economy is increasing gradually.
“In the 2024-25 fiscal year, the total value of products manufactured by industries under BSCIC stood at Tk 65,351 crore, while their contribution to the national exchequer through VAT and taxes was Tk 4,427 crore,” he said.
Currently, 887 BSCIC industrial units are engaged in exports, with the corporation aiming to increase the number further, he added.
Benazir said fifteen BSCIC training centres are operating across the country to develop entrepreneurs and skilled manpower suitable for international markets. Three-month courses involving 180 hours and six-month courses involving 360 hours are being conducted as part of efforts to bring conventional training up to international standards.
BSCIC is also focusing on product quality and design. Its Central Design Centre in Motijheel is developing designs for leather goods, handicrafts, jute products, block-batik items and pottery.
The chairman said intellectual property (IP) protection would become increasingly important in international trade after LDC graduation.
“To remain competitive in international markets, local entrepreneurs need to enhance their capacity to develop their own designs, patents and brands,” he said.
Against this backdrop, BSCIC is working to establish a “National Pool of Designers” under the Creative Economy National Steering Committee. The first meeting has already been held with representatives of relevant organisations, including fashion designer Bibi Russell, Shanto-Mariam University and Joyeeta Foundation.
BSCIC is also giving priority to the “One Village, One Product” programme to make the rural economy more dynamic. Work is underway to identify renowned and promising local products and bring them under cluster-based production and marketing.
“There are many locally produced goods that can be made popular in domestic and international markets by increasing their production,” Benazir said.
He said BSCIC is also focusing on high-value products made from local resources such as banana and pineapple fibres, water hyacinth and hogla leaves.
“International markets have demand for products made from locally available resources,” he said, adding that modern designs and technology could create opportunities for higher value addition, export expansion and rural employment.
The chairman identified marketing as one of the major challenges facing small entrepreneurs.
“Many entrepreneurs produce quality products but fail to get fair prices because they cannot directly reach buyers,” he said.
To address the issue, BSCIC plans to establish a central physical marketplace, “BSCIC Market”, while also modernising its digital platform to facilitate direct communication between entrepreneurs and buyers.
BSCIC is also taking steps to connect its subcontracting activities directly with the private sector, creating opportunities for small entrepreneurs to join the supply chains of large industrial enterprises.
Benazir said export earnings of the 887 BSCIC units engaged in exports were around Tk 30,000 crore in the 2024-25 fiscal year.
Benazir Ahmed said BSCIC’s current action plan was no longer confined to establishing new industries or developing entrepreneurs.
“BSCIC is moving towards strengthening small and cottage industries by integrating skills development, product design, technology, local raw materials, branding and market connectivity,” he said.
If implemented, these initiatives will connect entrepreneurs in both rural and urban areas with larger markets while increasing value addition to local products, exports and employment.
He expressed hope that the initiatives would help increase value addition to local products, exports and employment and further enhance BSCIC’s contribution to the national economy.
