A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed between Bangladesh Small and Cottage Industries Corporation (BSCIC) and Oikko Foundation at Lakeshore hotel in the capital today. The MoU was signed with the aim of establishing “BSCIC-OIKKO Digital Display and Sales Center”s in 493 upazilas of Bangladesh.
Minister of the Ministry of Industries of the Government of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh Nurul Majid Mahmud Humayun, MP was present virtually as the Chief Guest on the occasion. President of Oikko Foundation (CMSME Entrepreneur Development Wing) and prominent personality Shahin Akhtar Rainy was also present on the occasion digitally. Mayor of Dhaka North City Corporation and President of Oikko Foundation (CMSME Enterprise Extension Wing) Md. Atiqul Islam and Mr. Shykh Seraj, Director and Head of News, Impress Telefilm Ltd., Channel I, sent their warm regards to BSCIC and Oikko Foundation on the joint initiative. The event was presided over by the BSCIC Chairman Mr. Md Mostaque Hasan, ndc.
MD. Mofidul Islam, Secretary, BSCIC and Apu Mahfuz, Chief Executive, Oikko Foundation has signed the agreement on behalf of BSCIC and Oikko Foundation respectively.
Speaking on the occasion, Minister of Industries, Nurul Majid Mahmud Humayun, MP said, “Entrepreneurs producing and selling local products directly and digitally in every upazila will be immensely beneficial for both the economy and the entrepreneurs themselves. Besides, I am hopeful that seeing these budding entrepreneurs prosper will inspire others to begin their own ventures. So I thank both the organizations and all concerned for taking up such a wonderful initiative.”
Shahin Akhtar Rainy, President, Oikko Foundation (CMSME Entrepreneur Development Wing) said, “I am hopeful that we will be able to contribute to the implementation of the Prime Minister’s ‘Vision 2041’ through the smooth operation of all our plans and activities. I sincerely thank BSCIC for being a partner in our journey.”
BSCIC and Oikko Foundation have been working tirelessly to improve the quality of the CMSME sector in Bangladesh, to sell and promote the products of CMSME entrepreneurs across the country directly and digitally. In that continuity, BSCIC and Oikko Foundation have taken the initiative to implement this project.
Bangladesh Small and Cottage Industries Corporation (BSCIC) is the prime mover organization in Bangladesh to support industrialization process through creation of an entrepreneurial society. BSCIC’s direct and indirect initiatives have created a lot of industrialists and industrial establishments in the country. To meet the dynamic challenges of globalization and free market economy, BSCIC provides compulsory opportunities to survive, expand and develop all the existing and new industries in the cottage, micro, small and medium enterprises (CMSME) industries. Recently, BSCIC has created an e-commerce site called BSCIC Online Market (www.bscic-emarket.gov.bd) to support CMSME entrepreneurs to market their products widely.
The Oikko Foundation is contributing to the development of cottage, small and medium entrepreneurs in the country and the sustainable development of this sector.
Oikko is conducting the first television program ‘Entrepreneur’ with cottage, micro, small and medium entrepreneurs of the country. Oikko Foundation has created www.oikko.com.bd, the largest online marketplace for small and medium entrepreneurs in Bangladesh. Oikya Investment Zone is a unique activity of Oikko with the initiative of creating new entrepreneurs in all the villages of Bangladesh. Oikko Foundation is going to announce its Oikko SME Digital Institute where unemployed young people from all over Bangladesh can become SME entrepreneurs by completing digital courses.
The Oikko Foundation is already creating coverage for thousands of the entrepreneurs through its 24/7 online news portal named as Uddoktabarta (www.uddoktabarta.com). Through Oikko Health, the Oikko Foundation is working to provide healthcare to SME entrepreneurs, staff and marginalized people across the country.
Oikko Visuals & Record is working to encourage entrepreneurs in cultural and creative activities. Oikko Agro,the agro wing of Oikko Foundation is working to market and sell organic agricultural products and agro-processed products online and offline of the entrepreneurs.
