Economists suggest for due emphasis on agro-based industrialisation

The leading economists have urged the authorities to give emphasis on agro-based industrialization in the wake of the global economic downturn and coronavirus epidemic. 

The call was made at a webinar titled 'Industrialization: In Search of a Decent Bangladesh' organized by the Bangladesh Economic Association (BAE) Saturday afternoon.

General Secretary of the association Jamaluddin Ahmed, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Dhaka School of Economics and the Chairman of the Board of Directors of Palli Karma-Sahayak Foundation economist Dr. Kazi Khaliquzzaman Ahmed, former chairman of the Department of Economics at the University of Dhaka Shafiq-uz Zaman and former chairman of the Department of Economics at Rajshahi University Md. Moazzem Hossain Khan spoke at the webinar.

The sixth part of the 13-part discussion was held on the theme of Professor Abul Barkat's recently published research book 'Socio-Economy-State on the big screen: In search of a better Bangladesh from the catastrophe of the virus'.

Kazi Khaliquzzaman Ahmed stressed on the need for equal ownership of natural resources for all. "We need to go back to agro-based industrialization to maintain the balance of nature to avoid the adverse effects of climate change,” he added.

Highlighting the inequalities between the then East Pakistan and West Pakistan before independence, Kazi Khaliquzzaman Ahmed said, “All the mill owners at that time were from West Pakistan. Our jute farmers get lower prices. This exploitation and inequality in the distribution of wealth is mentioned in Abul Barkat's book. ”

Professor. Shafiq-uz Zaman said, "We can never conquer nature. Jute used to be our means of industrialization, but from the late eighties garment industry has become our main means of industrialization. It is true that this sector has created massive self-employment for women. But today, industry and its waste are playing a role in the pollution of the river, fresh water and fertile land are being destroyed by plastic. ”

Referring to the benefits of agro-based industrialization, Professor Shafiq-uz Zaman said, “It will increase the prices of agricultural products. Farmers will get more money. Farmers' purchasing power will increase. We have to remember that farmers are both producers and buyers of industrial products. ”

Shafiq-uz Zaman said, “High growth and employment do not go together. We have to think about how to increase production without cutting workers. We need to expand the internal market, create diversified agricultural products and increase investment in agricultural research. ”

Referring to Professor Abul Barkat as an 'unconventional economist', Moazzem Hossain Khan said, "Professor Abul Barkat's book 'Socio-Economy-State on the big screen: In search of a beautiful Bangladesh from the catastrophe of the virus' is a Titanic book." In this book, freedom fighter Barkat has written his own land-raised thoughts. He termed the current industrialization of the country as 'catastrophic industrialization' and called for the formation of 'welfare industrialization'. He has made 15 recommendations for this, the first of which is humanization that will never uproot people from their homes. ”

In his introductory speech, Jamaluddin Ahmed said, “The Great Depression is going on all over the world. Bangladesh Economic Society is looking for a good society, a good state, a good world order in this great time of global crisis. That is why this is organized. Our goal is to play the role of a knowledge-based influencer. ”

Department of Japanese Studies, Bangladesh Economic Association and Muktabuddhi Prakashan jointly published the book 'Socio-Economy-State on the Big Screen: In Search of a Better Bangladesh from the Great Disaster of Virus'.