Transform ‘Job Seeker to Job Creator’ into a national slogan: Dr Abdul Mazid
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NN Report:
Economist and former chairman of the National Board of Revenue (NBR), Dr. Muhammad Abdul Mazid, has called for a “social revolution” to foster entrepreneurship, urging that the mantra “I will not seek a job, I will provide one” be adopted as a national slogan to tackle unemployment.
He made these remarks as the chief guest at an open discussion titled “Employment and Entrepreneurship Development: Our Collective Responsibility,” held on Saturday (January 10) at the Green Business Lounge in Purana Paltan, Dhaka. The event was jointly organised by the Green Community Entrepreneur Club Limited and the Green Business Lounge.
“Developing a skilled workforce is a fundamental prerequisite for creating entrepreneurs. Without skilled manpower, we cannot reach our desired economic goals,” Dr. Mazid said, emphasising the need to align education and training with market demands to make the youth employment-ready.
Md. Anwarul Islam Sikdar, former Rector of the BCS Administration Academy and former Administrator of Dhaka North City Corporation (DNCC), presented the keynote paper. He highlighted the existing challenges and potential in the entrepreneurship sector, stressing that teachers, researchers, government officials, journalists, and professionals like doctors and engineers must play a collaborative role in building a supportive ecosystem.
Speakers at the event noted that the government alone cannot ensure employment for the country’s vast population. They called for strengthening the private sector and ensuring an investment-friendly environment for new ventures.
Presided over by Md. Altaf Hossain, President of Green Community Entrepreneur Club Ltd, the session also featured speeches from Prof. Dr. Ruhul Amin, Vice-President of the club; Ataur Rahman, former Additional Secretary of the Ministry of Land; and Nawab Ali Bhuiyan, founding director of Al-Arafah Islami Bank.
Other notable speakers included Munira Parveen, President of Citizen Care Bangladesh; Amatun Nur, President of the Fashion Design Council; woman entrepreneur Salma Begum; and Md. Abdul Mannan, former Director of BARD, Cumilla. The dialogue concluded with an open floor where professionals and students shared their personal experiences and the hurdles they face in starting new businesses.