Leaders of the Bangladesh Jeweller’s Association (BAJUS) have urged the government to reform the existing regulations on “gold dealing licence,” and asked authorities to introduce a transparent licence procurement process for allowing the industry to flourish.
“Most jewellers do not have a licence for ‘gold dealing’. There are questions about the transparency of operations of many businesses. The Ministry of Commerce must reform the guidelines for the sake of the industry,” central leaders of BAJUS said at the closing ceremony of a three-day training programme in Cox’s Bazar on Friday.
The central leaders alleged that the jewellers are facing “harassment” at the district administration offices when seeking to renew their licences.
“A quarter of the officials at DC offices demand “speed money” from traders. The traders in the sector are being harassed in such ways,” they added.
BAJUS organised the training programme at a hotel in the beach town as part of an up-skilling initiative under the World Bank’s Accelerating and Strengthening Skills for Economic Transformation (ASSET) project.
The Directorate of Technical Education is implementing the project.
Abdur Rahim, additional project director of the ASSET project, was the chief guest at the closing ceremony, while advisor Ruhul Amin Rasel moderated the session.
BAJUS former president Dilip Kumar Roy, BAJUS Executive Members Dewan Aminul Islam and Anwar Hossain, and ASSET Deputy Project Director Jahangir Alam were guests of honour on the occasion.
In his speech, Abdur Rahim said the government has adopted the ASSET project to develop skilled manpower and empower the youth for ensuring the country’s economic development.
Dr Dilip Kumar Roy appreciated the role of BAJUS President Sayem Sobhan Anvir in bringing over 40,000 jewellers under one umbrella in an organised manner.
“The real beauty of jewellery is the design; the artisans of our country are lagging behind in this aspect. The industry wants to move forward with this training programme,” he said.
Earlier, journalist and researcher Razu Ahmed, RMG and Textile Industry Skills Council (RTISC) CEO Zaglul Hayder, Independent University Senior Lecturer Dilshad Hossain Dodul, Arannayk Foundation communication head Arifur Rahman, and Assist Management Consultancy’s Kaiser Hamid provided training in the three-day workshop.
BDST: 2117 HRS, JULY 12, 2024
MSK
