ICMAB International webinar

The Institute of Cost and Management Accountants of Bangladesh (ICMAB) has organized an International Webinar on “Covid-19 impact on the SMEs and SMPs: The Bangladesh Perspective” on June 27, 2021. Mr. M A Mannan MP, Hon’ble Minister, Ministry of Planning, Government of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh graced the occasion as the Chief Guest while President of The International Federation of Accountants (IFAC) Mr. Alan Johnson and President of South Asian Federation of Accountants (SAFA) and Past President of ICMAB Mr. A. K. M. Delwer Hussain FCMA were present as special guests.

Dr. Md. Salim Uddin FCA, FCMA, Professor, University of Chittagong and Chairman, HBFC presented the paper as Keynote Speaker. ICMAB President Mr. Abu Bakar Siddique FCMA presided over the webinar.
Mr. Abu Sayed Md. Shaykhul Islam FCMA, Past President and present Council Member of ICMAB; CA, Satish Kumar Gupta, Chairman, Small & Medium Parctices Committee, SAFA;CA, Sanjeev Singhal, Chairman, Committee for Members in Practice, ICAI joined the webinar as Speakers. Members of SAFA, CAPA and IFAC holding responsible positions in different national and international organizations at home and abroad participated in the Webinar as participants.
Planning Minister Mr. M A Mannan said advanced countries are using vaccines of corona as a political tool. Some advanced countries stocked up vaccines more than they would require, which is not acceptable. He said Covid-19 has been a very painful experience for the people working in the informal sectors and said a large number of small wage earners lost their jobs immediately after the pandemic broke out. The government has taken many initiatives including announcing a stimulus package sized about four per cent of the country’s GDP. He further added that this government did very well in terms of death and infections in comparison with our neighbouring countries.
Speaking as special guest, President IFAC Mr. Alan Johnson said countries and organizations need to collaborate to face the rapid changes happening due to Covid-19. He said this is clearly a lesson we all can learn from the ongoing Covid-19 crisis. President of SAFA Mr. A. K. M. Delwer Hussain FCMA said MSMEs are key driver of the country’s economy. He said Covid-19 hit all walks of life, MSMEs get the hardest pinch.
ICMAB President Abu Bakar Siddique FCMA said SMEs are the bloodline of Bangladesh’s economy creating employment for 7.8 million people directly and providing livelihood for 31.2 million. SMEs need to be uplifted so that the sector can generate quality employment. SMEs can be the engine for economic growth and employment generation after the Covid-19 crisis, but it all depends on effective and visionary response by the government – Bangladesh’s long-term aspirations depend on it.
Mr. Md. Mamunur Rashid FCMA, Vice-President of ICMAB deliveerd the welcome Speech and Kazi Muhammad Ziauddin FCMA, Secretary of ICMAB offered the vote of thanks to the honorable speakers and participants. Mr. Imtiaz Alam FCA, FCMA, Council Member, ICMAB conducted and moderated the International Webinar.