Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina today (September 13) invited Commonwealth countries to invest in Bangladesh as she opened two-day Commonwealth Trade and Investment Forum-2023 in the capital.
She opened the grand inauguration of forum as the chief guest in capital's Bangabandhu International Conference Center (BICC) organized by Commonwealth Enterprise and Investment Council (CWEIC) in partnership with the Bangladesh Investment Development Authority (BIDA), Ministry of Foreign Affairs and ZI Foundation.
The premier said: "Geographically, Bangladesh is at the center of a market of 3 billion people, and we have 170 million people of our own. . . ,".
Mentioning that by 2030, the affluent population of Bangladesh will stand at 35 million, she said that therefore, Bangladesh will become the third largest market globally, leaving behind Germany and the United Kingdom.
"We're looking forward to building long-term, meaningful relations with countries and investors who are willing to contribute to the development of Bangladesh and other Commonwealth countries through this forum," she said, adding, "I earnestly believe that you will be with us."
Bangladesh needs development partners to help reach its goal, noted the premier, saying "we need more high-quality and sustainable investment to accelerate the economic progress of Bangladesh."
She said as a prerequisite for "Biniyog Bikash", or investment promotion, her government prioritized organizational reforms, the formation of the Bangladesh Investment Development Authority (BIDA) and the Bangladesh Economic Zones Authority (BEZA), which are offering attractive facilities for investors, and ensuring post-investment services.
Sheikh Hasina said that almost all sectors are open for investment in Bangladesh.
But among those, she said, more investment is encouraged in agricultural goods and food processing, leather and leather goods processing, medical equipment, automobiles and shipbuilding, and ICT.
"There are promising investment facilities in these sectors, including the easy process of taking back dividends or benefits to your home country," she added.
BDST: 1439 HRS, SEP 13, 2023
MSK
