This report was submitted to UNDP Bangladesh in May 2005 to assist in the formulation of ideas that will ensure Bangladesh's global competitiveness following the expiry of the Multi-Fiber Agreement (MFA). The study offers an overview of export diversification projects/organizations operating in the country, lessons learned from the export promotion strategies of Bangladesh's regional competitors, an evaluation of the country's trade policy, and the selection and analysis of seven employment intensive export sectors.

A. Imran Shauket, July 2004

This report offers an analysis of world demand for handmade paper and the opportunity that demand represents for the sub sector in Bangladesh. Based on JOBS Project's experience in assisting the export capacity of handmade paper producers in the country, the report provides predictions on the growth potential of the industry in Bangladesh and details the technical and policy support that is required.

Muzammel Haque, September 1998

This is one of the eight sub-sector studies completed in July 1998 for the JOBS Program. The report is based on focus group discussion with BEMMA (Bangladesh Electrical Merchandise Manufacturers' Association) in Dhaka and a field level survey on producers, input suppliers, wholesalers/ retailers, and consumers of electrical small goods in Bangladesh. A total of 72 respondents were covered for this report, of whom 40 were entrepreneurs producing electrical small goods, 12 consumers of these items, 11 wholesalers or retailers and 9 suppliers of input to the large group of producer-entrepreneurs.

Alim Haider, September 1998

This sub-sector study and baseline survey on bakery sub-sector was made with the objectives of identifying its strengths and weaknesses, and to assess the key needs and growth potential of this sub-sector. The report formulates a objective for non-financial programs for promotion and development of small and medium scale enterprises in the country to create job opportunities for the poor.

M.S. Aslam Mia, September 1998

This report is a baseline survey and study for textile dyeing and printing in Bangladesh. It contains all information from identifying the problems suffered and opportunities enjoyed by this sector; determining the causes of problems; establish solutions; and finally implementing measures to solve the problems. It provides an outlook onto the situations prevailing in this particular sub sector regarding raw material, trends, availability of technology and various other important factors.

Mollah Shahidul Haque & Shahin Akter, September 1998

1998 Recognizing the potentiality of the handloom sector for poverty reduction in Bangladesh, this study attempts to develop an action oriented program for the growth of this industry. It surveys producers, retailers, suppliers and consumers to obtain findings covering a wide range of subjects including location, investment, trade licenses, ownership, expansion, promotional work and membership of national associations in this sub-sector. It also looks at the impact of Grameen check, the proportion of women in the industry, the proportion of units running at full capacity and on what criteria consumers base their purchasing decisions.

Zahurul Alam, September 1998

Ahmed Momtaz Uddin, August 1998

1998 In the industrially advanced countries plastics gained prominence as a modern, technically oriented, high growth industry in the early twentieth century through making rapid inroads into various branches of consumer goods, intermediate goods, and capital goods industries primarily as low-cost substitutes for a wide range of natural materials. Meanwhile, their application as industrial raw materials in the developing countries like Bangladesh remained rather limited. A generally low level of economic development, narrow industrial base, and lack of intensive technological and market research activities, constituted the important barriers to rapid penetration of plastics into the market occupied by the traditional materials in the less developed countries (LDCs).

Zaid Bakht , August 1998

This report contains a detailed study of eight sub-sectors, namely, Bakery, Specialized Handloom, Textile Dyeing and Printing, Footwear, Plastic Products, Steel Furniture, Electrical Goods and Engineering Workshop. The study is carried out with a view to further narrowing down JOBS' area of initial intervention and preparing appropriate package of non-financial assistance for the selected sub-sectors. The report identifies the key firms and actors in the sub-sectors, map each sub-sector's operations and highlight the constraints and the opportunities faced by the individual sub-sectors. The eight sub-sector studies are also intended to provide benchmark data from which sub-sector assistance can be measured. The report provides a comparative assessment of the eight sub-sectors focusing on both the static and dynamic aspects of these sub-sectors.

M. Lutfar Rahman Khan

This report carries out studies and baseline surveys into small metal works and light engineering industries, for the JOBS program. It provides information on the firms and actors in each sub-sector; each sub-sectors' operations and its strengths and weaknesses; sub-sector level key needs and true firm level interest in project involvement to expand their employment and incomes; ad finally the potential growth in the sub-sector.

Azim Syed , September 1998