<div><span style="font-size: 1rem;"><b>President Abdul Hamid and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina issued separate messages congratulating the exporters selected for the National Export Trophy 2019-20.</b></span><br></div><div><br></div><div>They will be given the award at a function in the city on Sunday.</div><div><br></div><div>In a message on the eve of this occasion, President Abdul Hamid said giving awards of 'National Export Trophy' to meritorious exporters in recognition of their outstanding contributions to national exports during the financial year 2019-20 is a positive step to enhance trade and investment.</div><div><br></div><div>The president believed that such initiative will encourage exporters to expand their export and trade.</div><div>&nbsp;</div><div>The head of the state extended his heartiest congratulations to all the exporting companies and businessmen who have won the Export Trophy.</div><div><br></div><div>In another message, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina said the Awami League-led government is working tirelessly to develop the country's business and commerce by maintaining a business-friendly environment to build the golden Bangladesh as dreamt by of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.</div><div><br></div><div>"Our government has been providing various incentives to businesses to strengthen the country's economy," she said.</div><div><br></div><div>The premier said total export earnings were US $ 15.56 billion at the time of formation of the government in 2009, which increased several fold to US $ 60.97 billion in Fiscal Year (FY) 2021-22 due to continued policy support in previous years.</div><div><br></div><div>In the first July-February of the fiscal year 2022-23, the revenue earned by the commodity sector was US $ 37.07 billion, which is 9.56 percent higher than the export earnings of US $ 33.84 billion in the same period of the previous fiscal year.</div><div><br></div><div>"We have taken various initiatives to increase exports and increase new markets," she said, adding that the government is working closely with the business community to increase Bangladesh's ability to export goods as well as expand and export services.</div><div><br></div><div>The private sector is being considered as the main driving force in the economic development of the country, she said.</div><div><br></div><div>Export trade plays an important role in bringing stability to the overall economy, the premier said.</div><div><br></div><div>Therefore, it is expected that entrepreneurs are encouraged to innovate new products and expand the market by recognizing those organizations that those have successfully faced all the challenges of export-trade and are earning a large amount of foreign currencies, she added.</div><div><br></div><div>Both the President and the Premier wished the National Export Trophy 2019-2020 a success. - BSS</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>