Tool and Technology Institute to assist light engineering sector
Currently, about 50,000 medium-scale and 10,000 small-scale light engineering manufacturing units exist countrywide, employing around 6 lakh people
The Tool and Technology Institute on Thursday signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the Bangladesh Engineering Industry Owners Association (BEIOA) to help the light engineering sector of Bangladesh
By training up BEIOA members, providing technical support, doing research and providing other facilities to the sector, the institute of the Bangladesh Industrial Technical Assistance Centre (BITAC), will help advance the sector.
Syed Md Ihsanul Karim, project manager of Tool and Technology Institute and Md Abdur Razzak, president of BEIOA, signed the MoU on behalf of their respective associations.
Speaking at the signing ceremony, Ihsanul Karim said that the light engineering sector of Bangladesh is currently facing many problems.
"The sector still uses backdated technology, there is a lack of skills among engineers, lack of quality, finance and export opportunities," he added.
The institute will provide BEIOA members with technical support. A collection booth will also be set up in the BEIOA office to provide heat treatment and testing services.
Members of the engineering association will receive training in traditional and advanced technologies including CAD, CAM, mechatronics, hydraulics and pneumatics from the Tool and Technology Institute.
Md Abdur Razzak, BEIOA president said that currently about 50,000 medium-scale and 10,000 small-scale light engineering manufacturing units exist countrywide, employing around 6 lakh people.
"As the sector is not big like the RMG sector, we have not received sufficient support from private and public sectors. Our employees also lack expertise in using modern technology and machines. I hope this MoU will help the light engineering sector to grow."
Kamal Ahmed Majumdar, state minister of industries, attended the event as its chief guest.
He said that there is no alternative to training.
"We want to turn our villages into cities by building industries there. But we see people have a very common trend to come to Dhaka city.
"To spread industries in villages, the light engineering sector needs to be developed," Majumdar added.