"Although the light engineering sector has a huge potential, its performance is below expectations. And the quality fails to match international standard," he said.

"The potential sector needs to acquire proper institutional knowledge in the field of technological and managerial capacity," the minister said while addressing a closing ceremony of a workshop for entrepreneurs in Dhaka.

The Light Engineering Product Business Promotion Council, Ministry of Commerce, Institute of Appropriate Technology, BUET, and Bangladesh Engineering Industry Owners' Association jointly organised the five-day workshop on Capacity Building of Light Engineering Industries in the Federation of Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FBCCI).

The function was attended, among others, by Commerce Secretary Faruq Ahmed Siddiqi, FBCCI President Mir Nasir Hossain, FBCCI First Vice-president Mohammad Ali and Professor of BUET Dr Kamal Uddin.

The commerce minister said export earning from the sector in 2004-05 fiscal year was only US$ 85 million, although the earning registered a 103 percent growth over the previous fiscal year. During 2003-04 the earning was $ 42 million.

"In the age of globalisation, it is impossible to stop the flow of foreign goods to any country, only quality products and competitive price can meet the challenges of the global market," he pointed out.

Echoing the minister, the FBCCI chief said the light engineering sector needs to upgrade its technological capabilities and production facilities in order to produce quality products at competitive prices.

"As the sector is playing a significant role for the development of the country's economy by creating employment opportunity and producing alternative machines, further development of the industry can create various investment opportunities," he said.

At the function, the commerce minister handed over certificates to 36 participants of the workshop.