Information Minister Abul Kalam Azad yesterday inaugurated the Chittagong BGMEA Bhaban in the port city and branded the building as a milestone in the history of the garment industry.

Azad said the garment industry plays a major role in alleviating poverty by earning foreign-currency and creating job opportunities.

The minister was a speaking at a meeting chaired by President of Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association Abdus Salam Murshedy.

Azad described Chittagong as an important place for trade and commerce and said Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina attached importance to the port city.

He hoped these problems could be solved through the “wisdom and expertise of the experienced leaders of BGMEA”. He hoped Bangladesh would turn into a middle-income state by 2021 -- the year for the country to mark the golden jubilee of its independence.

Chittagong is a safe and investment-friendly city, said Chittagong City Corporation Mayor M Manjur Alam. The availability of a seaport and an airport has increased the importance of the city among businessmen, the mayor added.

Projects worth Tk 400 crore have already been taken and further projects worth Tk 600 crore have been approved at the pre-Ecnec meeting to develop the city, said Chairman of Chittagong Development Authority Abdus Salam.

Dated: 11 Feb 2011