Chief adviser Muhammad Yunus has said that his government鈥檚 aim was to transform Bangladesh into a manufacturing and economic hub as he held a closed-door meeting with several prominent foreign investors.
鈥榃e want to be a top manufacturing country in the world,鈥� he said at the meeting on Wednesday as he welcomed all sorts of foreign investment in Bangladesh.
The meeting was arranged aiming to attract investment in some of the country鈥檚 key sectors as several notable figures including a former deputy prime minister of the Maldives, a member of the Malaysian royal family, a former Malaysian minister, a Qatari royal family member, top bankers, and several wealthy non-resident Bangladeshis were present, CA鈥檚 deputy press secretary Abul Kalam Azad Majumder told BSS on Thursday.
Addressing the investors, the chief adviser said his government is offering one of the most attractive investment climates in the region.
The investors expressed interest in exploring opportunities in sectors such as manufacturing, waste management, energy, banking, and tourism-particularly in the resort district of Cox鈥檚 Bazar.
Professor Yunus encouraged the investors to visit Bangladesh and engage in discussions with the relevant agencies.
Foreign adviser Md Touhid Hossain and senior secretary Lamiya Morshed were also present at the meeting.
Earlier, chief adviser Muhammad Yunus urged Qatari investors to invest in Bangladesh to take advantage of the immense potentials that the country offers.
鈥楤angladesh is now back to business and back to business in a big way. We want your partnership,鈥� the chief adviser said at a programme in Doha on Wednesday evening.
Addressing the event titled 鈥楤ilateral Investment Opportunities Between Qatar and Bangladesh鈥�, the chief adviser said the Interim Government had taken many steps to improve investment climate in the country and was dedicated to creating New Bangladesh free from corruption.
He shared the inspiring story of how Bangladesh once convinced Norwegian telecom operator Telenor to set up a telephone company in the country that in turn became its biggest profit-making venture.
Azad Ashraf, president of Bangladesh Forum, Qatar, delivered the welcome speech.
BIDA executive chairman Ashik Chowdhury gave a presentation before potential Qatari investors and non-resident Bangladeshis about investment opportunities in Bangladesh and the reforms undertaken by the country鈥檚 Interim Government to make business and investment easier.
鈥業f you ever consider Bangladesh the investment destination, this is probably the best time to do it,鈥� he said.
Addressing the event, energy adviser Fouzul Kabir Khan said when the Interim Government assumed office, Bangladesh had an outstanding debt of $3.2 billion, which has now come down to $600 million.
They include 254 million outstanding payments to Qatar Energy, which have come down to nil by Wednesday, he said.
He explained the Interim Government鈥檚 plan for energy safety and improved infrastructure for their benefit.
Qatar鈥檚 deputy undersecretary for industry and business development Saleh Majed Al Khalafi, co-founder of Next Smart Solutions Ali Ben Fardj, among others, spoke in the programme.
Foreign adviser Md Touhid Hossain was, among others, present while Bangladesh ambassador to Qatar Nazrul Islam delivered the closing remarks.
