INCEPTION WORKSHOP ON PROMOTING SUSTAINABLE GROWTH IN THE MACHINERY AND EQUIPMENT SUBSECTOR HELD AT BEIOA
Dhaka, July 21, 2025 —
With a strong commitment to promoting sustainability and responsible industrial development, the SMART (Machinery & Equipment) Sub-Project, funded by the World Bank and Palli Karma-Sahayak Foundation (PKSF), officially launched its implementation journey through an Inception Workshop held at the auditorium of the Bangladesh Engineering Industry Owners Association (BEIOA).
Organized by BASTOB – Initiative for People’s Self Development, the implementing agency of the project, the workshop brought together leading voices from the industrial, academic, and public sectors to discuss the integration of Resource-Efficient and Cleaner Production (RECP) practices in the light engineering sector.
The workshop was chaired by Mr. Ruhi Das, Executive Director of BASTOB. Dr. Syed Md. Ihsanul Karim, Chairman of InterBiz and former Director General of BITAC, attended as Chief Guest and emphasized, “To remain globally competitive, our industries must embed sustainability at the core of their operations.”
Renowned environmental expert Professor Md. Mostafizur Rahman, PhD, of Jahangirnagar University, underlined the urgency of RECP implementation in small and medium enterprises (SMEs), stating, “The future of industrial growth lies in reducing environmental impact while increasing productivity.”
Ms. Nahid Jahan, Principal Engineer at PP&PDC, stressed the importance of occupational health and fire safety measures in industrial workplaces. Md. Hasan Ali, Senior Station Officer of Sutrapur Fire Station, guided participants on emergency response and using the national emergency number 999.
The event also shed light on pressing challenges faced by entrepreneurs. Mr. Mahady Hasan, CEO of Diamention Tool Engineering, raised concerns about accessibility and fairness in product testing facilities. In response, Ms. Nahid Jahan assured that steps will be taken to foster a more inclusive and supportive environment for MSMEs.
Md. Abdur Razzaq, Chairman of BEIOA, called for greater recognition and investment in the light engineering sector, highlighting its often-overlooked yet critical role in national economic growth.
Concluding the event, Mr. Ruhi Das extended his gratitude to all participants and stakeholders, expressing hope that the SMART project will pave the way for greener, smarter, and more resilient industrial practices in Bangladesh.
The SMART Sub-Project will be implemented over the upcoming years by BASTOB, with technical and financial support from PKSF and the World Bank, aiming to build a sustainable future for Bangladesh’s light engineering and machinery subsector.