State Minister for Ministry of Industries Kamal Ahmed Mojumder on Thursday said the small and medium entrepreneurs are missing from markets due to dirty competition imposed by large companies, which are making hefty profits through monopoly and syndication of daily essential goods.

He sought a fund of at least Tk5000 crore in the upcoming budget to assist the small and medium entrepreneurs through subsidies so that a fair completion remains in the market.

As an example, the state minister said the sugar price would not go much higher if the state-owned sugar industries were not shut down.

The minister said this while speaking as the chief guest at a workshop titled 'Role of media in the development of SME sector in the post-Covid-19 situation' held at the conference hall of the Economic Reporters’ Forum (ERF) in the capital on Thursday.

ERF and SME Foundation jointly organised the workshop. Chairman of SME Foundation Professor Dr. Md Masudur Rahman, ERF President Mohammad Refayet Ullah Mirdha, and General Secretary Abul Kashem also spoke at the function.

The Managing Director of SME Foundation Md. Mofizur Rahman gave a presentation on SME Foundation's activities along with the organisation's future plan.

He highlighted the role of the SME Foundation in creating small and medium entrepreneurship.