<div style="text-align: justify; "><span style="font-size: 1rem;"><b>Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina urged local businesses to make investments in the country's 100 economic zones in addition to foreign investment.</b></span><br></div><div style="text-align: justify; "><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">“We are setting up 100 economic zones across the country. We are inviting investments there. But we do not want only foreign investments, but also want domestic investments&nbsp; there,” she said.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">The prime minister said this while inaugurating the weeklong 11th National SME Product Fair to showcase locally made products from small and medium enterprises at the Bangabandhu International Conference Center (BICC), jointly organised by the Industries Ministry and SME Foundation.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">She said that of the total 100 economic zones the government has so far allocated lands for up to 80 economic zones.&nbsp;</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">“I think that from the SME Foundation or those who are entrepreneurs can avail lands in these economic zones alone or with partnership basis to set up their industries there,” she said.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Hasina said that along with mechanisation of agriculture the government is putting emphasis on food production, agricultural products production which will contribute to the economy, and industrialisation based on that.&nbsp;</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">“If there is no industrialisation no employment will be created and we won't be able to advance further. So We have to focus on industrialisation,” she said.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">She said that huge small mechanical parts will be needed for the mechanisation of the agriculture for which the government is providing various types of facilities, reports UNB</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">She said that if proper training are provided it will be possible to produce those mechanical parts which can also be exported to many countries.&nbsp;</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">“It will create market in our own country with the increase of our purchasing capacity,” she said.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Industries Minister Nurul Majid Mahmud Humayun presided over the programme where Senior Secretary of Industries Ministry Zakia Sultana, President of the Federation of Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FBCCI) Mahbubul Alam and Chairperson of the SME Foundation Professor&nbsp; Md Masudur Rahman also spoke.</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br></div><div style="text-align: justify; ">bnbd/fas</div>