On the occasion of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman's birth centenary, a month-long entrepreneurs' fair started in Rajshahi on Friday.

The fair, jointly organised by Bangladesh Small and Cottage Industries Corporation (BSCIC) and Oikya Foundation, is being held at a field adjacent to the historic Mothpukur in the divisional city.

Rajshahi City Corporation Mayor AHM Khairuzzaman Liton inaugurated the fair as its chief guest in the morning. Presided over by Deputy Commissioner Abdul Jalil, the inaugural ceremony was also attended, among others, by BSCIC Chairman Md Moshtaq Hasan, Oikya Foundation Chairman Shahin Akter Reni, and Rajshahi BSCIC Director Md Mamunur Rashid.

At the event, Liton said, "I thank BSCIC and Oikya Foundation for organising the fair on the occasion of Bangabandhu's birth centenary. By organising the fair, BSCIC has stood by the [novel] coronavirus-affected SME entrepreneurs. Despite the outbreak of the [novel] coronavirus, there has been no shortage of food in the country as the 76 BSCIC industrial cities across the country have continued producing essential food items." 

In his speech, BSCIC Chairman Md Mushtaq Hasan called upon entrepreneurs, buyers and sellers at the fair to abide by proper hygiene rules.

"BSCIC has organised the fair, in compliance with hygiene rules, so that entrepreneurs can make up for the losses caused by the coronavirus through selling their products," he added.

The BSIC chairman urged buyers to wear masks.

At the 70 stalls of the fair, entrepreneurs are selling: silk sarees, three pieces, leather and leather products, various handicrafts, processed food items, cosmetics, batik, and other local products. Additionally, handicrafts and cottage industry products and honey made by the BSCIC trainees are also being sold at the fair. The fair will be open to the public every day from 10am to 8pm.