Dhaka, May 10 (V7N)- The government has announced plans to connect Bangladesh’s rural artisans—such as blacksmiths, potters, and weavers—to international e-commerce platforms like Amazon and Alibaba as part of a broader strategy to modernize cottage industries and expand rural incomes.

Finance Minister Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury made the announcement while speaking as the chief guest at an event organized by the Palli Karma-Sahayak Foundation on Sunday.

He said the initiative is aimed at implementing the “One Village, One Product” policy, which focuses on developing specialized rural industries and integrating them into the national and global economy.

The minister emphasized that artisans will receive advanced training to improve the quality of their products, enabling them to sell directly in international online marketplaces.

He stated, “We want to ensure that products made by rural craftsmen can reach global platforms like Amazon and Alibaba without intermediaries.”

According to him, integrating small and medium-scale artisans into the modern market system is essential for inclusive economic development.

The Finance Minister also clarified the government’s investment approach, saying that large projects will only be approved if they contribute directly to social development and economic benefit.

He noted that although around 1,300 development project proposals have been submitted to the Planning Ministry, only those meeting strict evaluation criteria will be selected, with an emphasis on efficient use of public funds.

PKSF Chairman Zakir Ahmed Khan stressed the importance of combining domestic funding with foreign assistance to support skill development programs for rural artisans.

He said such investments would have long-term benefits in improving livelihoods and reducing poverty among marginalized communities.

Officials believe the initiative could open new economic opportunities for rural producers while strengthening Bangladesh’s presence in global digital trade networks.

END/SMA/AJ