Nineteen enterprises  are going to receive 'President's Award for Industrial Development 2019' on Thursday  for their contributions to industrial growth and economic development.

Industries Minister Nurul Majid Mahmud Humayun announced the names of the enterprises at a press briefing  on Wednesday.

Nurul Majid said  that Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina is placing special emphasis on the implementation of Vision 2021 and Vision 2041 through the development of sustainable industries. 

"Under her guidance, the ministry of industries has continued its efforts to take forward Bangladesh's growing industrialization drive by simultaneously increasing the efficiency and dynamism of the public and private sectors," he said.

As part of this, it is organizing a formal recognition of the important contribution of the private sector in the national economic progress, he also said.

The Minister said there are about 1.25 lakh small scale industries, 6 lakh cottage industries in the country while 3.7 million people have been employed in small and cottage industries so far.

Besides, about 1 million SMEs have already been set up in the country.

"These SMEs are contributing 23% to the GDP and 70% to the total industrial employment. In addition, the informal industry in the country is developing rapidly and is making a significant contribution to employment. BSIC, BITAC and SME Foundation under the Ministry of Industries are also playing a role in enhancing their skills. The ministry has also made an outstanding contribution to the success of the industrial entrepreneurs and organizations who are going to receive the award in the virtual presence of the President tomorrow," he added 

He said that  the ministry has introduced the Industrial Development Award to encourage the private sector and their creativity and formulated the guidelines for awarding in 2013. On the basis of this, for the first time in 2015, the best 12 industrial entrepreneurs were 

President Abdul Hamid will attend in the programme virtually  from Bangabhaban as the Chief Guest while Planning Minister Abdul Mannan will be special guest.

Among the winners, four are under a large industries category, four under medium, three small, three micro, two cottage and three hi-tech.

BRB Cable Industries Ltd and British American Tobacco Bangladesh Company jointly took 1st place in the category of large industries while Mir Ceramic Ltd took 2nd place, and Jaber and Jobayer Fabrics Ltd stood 3rd in the same category.

Bengal Polymer Wares Ltd and Noman Terry Towel Mills Ltd took 1st and 2nd place respectively in the medium industry category while Coco-Tex Ltd and Crimson Rosella Sea Jude Ltd stood 3rd jointly.

In the small industry category, Promi Agro Foods Ltd came 1st while Madhobdi Dyeing Finishing Mills Ltd came 2nd, and APS Holding Ltd came 3rd.

On the other hand, in the micro-industry category, Moscow Dairy Enterprise came 1st, Khan Bakelite Products came 2nd, and Raven Agro Chemicals came 3rd position.

The Loot Works came 1st in the cottage industry category, and Samsunnahar Textile Mills came 2nd, while Walton Hi-Tech Industries Ling came 1st, Information Technology Consultants Ltd came 2nd, and Summit Communications Ltd came 3rd In the hi-tech industry category.

State Minister for Industries Kamal Ahmed Majumder also spoke at the event.