Fifty-six entrepreneurs yesterday received the CIP or commercially important person's status in recognition of their contribution to the economy.
Industries Minister Amir Hossain Amu handed over the CIP cards for 2015 at a function at Hotel Purbani in the city.
Among the recipients, 25 belong to large-scale category, 15 to medium category, five to small-scale category, two to micro industry category and two to cottage industry category. The recipients of CIP cards will enjoy different government-offered privileges for the next one year starting from yesterday.
The cardholders will also get invitations to different national functions and civil receptions organised by the city corporations.
At the event, Amu hoped the CIPs would involve themselves in the efforts to build an industrialised Bangladesh.
He said the government has taken extensive initiatives to strengthen investment and industrialisation activities in the country.
Besides formulating National Industrial Policy-2016 to give a boost to the private sector, the government has also made industrial plot allotment policy and salt policy-2011, he added.
The minister said the government has developed 100 economic zones for local and foreign investors.
He said a modern tannery estate is being developed at Savar and all raw hide factories would be shifted from Hazaribagh within the current month.
Presided over by Industries Secretary M Mosharraf Hossain, the event was also addressed by Federation of Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce and Industry President Abdul Matlub Ahmad.