Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has called upon British entrepreneurs and expatriate Bangladeshis to invest in Bangladesh’s development. She said Bangladesh is waiting for foreign investment in various attractive sectors including energy, renewable energy, shipbuilding, automobile, line engineering, agro-processing, blue-economy, tourism, high-tech industries, and information technology. British entrepreneurs can choose to invest in these or any other sectors.
She made the call in a keynote address at the inauguration of the Bangladesh Investment Summit 2021: Building Sustainable Growth Partnership and Road Show at Churchill Hall in London’s Queen Elizabeth Centre on Thursday (4 November). She was present at the inauguration virtually. The Prime Minister of the United Kingdom Boris Johnson was represented at the event by State Minister for Trade and Policy Penny Mordaunt.
Bangladesh Securities and Exchange Commission (BSEC) has organized this roadshow to encourage foreign investment in the capital market of Bangladesh. Another such roadshow will be held on 8 November in Manchester, UK.
Sheikh Hasina said that among the special economic zones in Bangladesh, there are certain economic zones where companies of a particular country can invest. UK investors can choose one such region for them. The Prime Minister mentioned that 100 economic zones and 28 high-tech parks will be set up in the country for domestic and foreign investment.
Highlighting the benefits of investing in Bangladesh, the Prime Minister said Bangladesh has now become an attractive investment destination due to rapid urbanization, increase in people’s ability to use electricity, increase in purchasing power of middle-income consumers, connection with huge markets in South Asia, and increase in regional connectivity. The government is working hard to ensure that skilled manpower is available to investors at competitive wages.
The Prime Minister said the government will extend all possible cooperation to ensure a conducive business environment for foreign investors. She also urged expatriate Bangladeshis to bring investment to their country. She said, ‘Those who are abroad, come back to your own country, and invest. Come back and bring along British investors as partners. You will get all kinds of facilities.’
Also speaking on the occasion were BSEC Chairman Prof. Shibli Rubayat-ul-Islam, Foreign Minister A K M Abdul Momen, Land Minister Saifuzzaman Chowdhury Javed, PM’s Private Investment Advisor Salman F Rahman, State Minister for Information and Communication Technology Zunaid Ahmed Palak, Bangladesh High Commissioner in London Saida Muna Tasneem, Bangladesh Export Processing Zones Authority (BEPZA) Executive Chairman Major General Md. Nazrul Islam, Chairman of Standard Chartered Bank Group Dr. José Viñals, Chairman of the Investment Development Authority Serajul Islam and others. Besides, the Chairman of the National Board of Revenue Abu Hena Mohammad Rahmatul Monim, and others were also present.
