Single-digit bank rate

The New Age

Industries minister Dilip Barua Tuesday said the bank interest should come down to single digit for the growth of industries.
‘I am in favour of single digit bank interest for speedy growth of industries in the country,’ the minister told leaders of Bangladesh Finished Leather, Leather-goods and Footwear Exporters Association (BFLLFEA) who met him at his office in the afternoon.
Barua said they would start work on setting up a Central Effluent Treatment Plant (CETP) for unimpeded export of leather goods to European countries after 2010.
He assured of removing legal barriers as quickly as possible through discussion with stakeholders.
‘I’ve talked to the attorney general recently and initiative has been taken through BISIC to resolve the legal barriers following the pending case,’ he said.
Barua called for coordinated efforts of the public and private sectors to implement the
‘We’re sincerely looking into it to ensure environment-friendly production of leather-goods to enter global market without any barrier.
BFLLFEA leaders urged the government should set up CETP urgently as the EU imposed restriction on importing leather goods on environmental reason.
The association also sought soft loan for development of tanneries and leather factories, compensation for shifting tanneries to Savar.
BISIC chairman Ashfaq Mohammad Iqbal, Bangladesh Tanners association chairman Shahin Ahmed and BFLLFEA chairman Alhaj Rezaul Karim Ansari were present in the meeting.