A three day long workshop on Market information system titled “Market Intel Follow Up” was jointly organized by the Centre for Promotion of Imports from Developing Countries (CBI) an agency of the Netherlands Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and Job Opportunities and Business Support (JOBS), A USAID funded project implemented by the IRIS centre at the university of Maryland in the city recently.

 The main objective of the workshop was assist participants in the improvement or creation of market information system through the provision of practical information and assignments about collecting, processing, and disseminating market information.

The workshop was conducted by Alfons van Dujvenbode and Klass de Boer from CBI along with Paul Kelly from ITC (International Trade Centre).

Representatives from EPB, NGOs, donor agencies, and other business organizations participated in the workshop.

 Imran Shauket, Country Director of JOBS/IRIS Bangladesh, spoke on the occasion.  He remarked that the market intelligence workshop has provided access to information on relevant international markets to the entrepreneurs of Bangladesh, such as the size of the market, demand, market trends, and international buyers. He felt that these tools would surely help the country in the facing the post MFA challenges in 2005.

Asif U. Ahmed Director- Trade and Sector Development Program , Ms. Erika Hoffman-Kiess, Deputy Director –Administration from JOBS, Ms. Gordona Popovik Programme manager, IRIS centre, and other distinguished guest were also present.

The programme ended with the distribution of certificates among the participants by Alfons van Dujevenbode.