They also called upon the country's young scientists to contribute to the industrial growth.

They were speaking at a seminar 'Activities of the BCSIR towards Industrial Growth of the Country' organised by the Consultative Committee of Public Enterprises (CONCOPE) at the BCSIR auditorium in the city.

Science and Information and Communication Technology Minister Dr. Abdul Moyeen Khan who was the chief guest of the seminar responded to different questions posed by the industrialists.

The minister also consented to the need for increasing the budget of the BCSIR for its better performance.

"The budget of the BCSIR should be increased, but limited resources of the country is the main obstacle in this regard," he viewed.

The private sector should also come forward with funds for assisting the BCSIR, Dr. Moyeen said.

"The BCSIR can only help a businessman with its research, but ultimately he has to survive in the open market economy with his own effort," he said in response to a question.

"Unlike the developed countries, Bangladesh fails to patronise young scientists so it loses a number of potential talents every year," Khandakar Ismail Hossain, former director of the Chittagong BCSIR Laboratory lamented.

At present, only 20 scientists are working in 20 sections of the Chittagong BCSIR while at least 100 scientists are required there, he aggrieved. He also said frequent changes in the BCSIR administration hamper its regular activities.

Ismail Hossain also stressed the need for utilising the experiences of the aged scientists who have already retired from the BCSIR.

CONCOPE chairman advocate Taimur Alam Khandakar and BCSIR Chairman Professor Dr. Amzad Hossain also spoke in the seminar.