Northeast is an important business destination for Sylhet

Sylhet Chamber of Commerce and Industries head talks about trade potential in NE

The President of Sylhet Chamber of Commerce and Industries, Tamim Ahmed (TA), in an exclusive interview with Business Northeast spoke about the prospects of trade between the region and Sylhet district in Bangladesh. Excerpts:

BNE: Tell us about the Sylhet Chambers of Commerce and Industries?
TA: The Sylhet Chamber of Commerce and Industries is the highest business organisation in Sylhet District and Sylhet Division, established in 1966. This organisation works for the safeguard of businessmen’s rights, development of trade, industry, investment and tourism sectors in Sylhet. The Chamber puts forward suggestions and recommendations to the government on all policy matters involving the interest of the business community, such as industrial policy, import policy, fiscal policy and the annual budget of the government.  

BNE: What is your role as the President of Sylhet Chambers of Commerce and Industry?
TA: The President is the Chief Executive of the Sylhet Chamber of Commerce. As the president, I preside in the regular board meetings, emergency meetings, annual general meetings and different programmes and seminars arranged by the Chamber. I sign the membership certificates and recommendation letters for the businessman. I also send letters to the different Government agencies, ministries and embassies which is affiliated with the interest of businessmen. I represent the business communities of Sylhet in different committees of local administration. I also attend various meetings and seminars organized by different Government, Non‐Government organizations in Sylhet and Dhaka for the interests of businessmen. I attend business conferences, summits, buyer‐seller meets outside of the country along with the Prime Minister, Ministers and high Government officials.         

BNE: What are the things your chamber is doing to improve the life and living of the business community of Sylhet at present?
TA: The Sylhet Chamber provides many support services to its members like provide business information, assistance for value added tax (VAT) and Taxes issues, and help for import‐export-related difficulties etc. Another important and regular service offered by the Chamber to its members is the distribution of all newly passed business acts, notifications and circulars issued by the Government on trade, commerce, industry finance etc. Sylhet Chamber organizes training courses, seminars and workshops on different matters for SMEs, women entrepreneurs and members to develop their skills and strategic abilities. Chamber also gives scholarship to the School and Madrasa students of Sylhet district every year and extend cooperation to the flood-affected peoples and needy peoples.   

BNE: What are your plans to improve business relations with northeast India? 
TA: Sylhet District is a gateway to the Northeast of India due to its geographical position. This place is also quite similar to the northeastern states in terms of weather, culture and lifestyle. Due to the same standard of living, there is a huge demand of Bangladeshi product in Northeast. Sylhet has low-cost work force and mineral resources for establishing industries. So, I think it will be very profitable if some export-oriented industries of consumer items established in Sylhet target the Northeast. For expanding export-import business with the North East, it is extremely needed to setup a linkup bridge on the Kushiara river beside the Zakigonj custom station in Zakigonj‐Karimgonj border and open a immigration Checkpost in Bholagonj LC Station.         

BNE: What are the facilities you give to foreign entrepreneurs in Sylhet? 
TA: The present government is very cordial to the foreign investors. The rules are also easy for the foreigners. There is office of Bangladesh Investment Development Authority (BIDA) in Sylhet for cooperate the local and foreign investors. We can linkup the foreign entrepreneurs with them and recommend some good companies for joint venture investment. We can also provide them the information about potential sectors of Sylhet.   

BNE: How are you planning to encourage innovation and technology among start-ups in Sylhet?
TA: Sylhet has a huge prospect in Information Technology (IT) sector. Many students from different renowned Universities of Sylhet complete their graduation in Computer Science and Engineering every year. But we are not able currently to give them suitable jobs and chances. For that, they are going abroad for better life and chance. We have to encourage and counsel them to do something in Bangladesh, do for their own country. Also, we have to establish IT institutions and companies to create scope or work for the new generation.   

BNE: What plans do you have to develop the performance of Sylhet Chambers of Commerce and Industries?
TA: I am continuously trying to serve better to the members. Now I am planning and working on starting an online membership service, where the applicant can apply for his membership online along with the necessary documents and can submit the fees via an online payment gateway. I have also a plan to set up a new and modern building for the Sylhet Chamber of Commerce in a bigger and more suitable place.

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