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Bangladesh is the most ideal place for investment in the world and can become an investment centre for a market of 300 crore people, said Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina yesterday.
“Due to its geographical location and infrastructural development, Bangladesh is the most attractive destination for investment. We are offering the highest (investment) opportunities and facilities,” she said.
“It can become an investment centre for a market of 300 crore people of South Asia, Europe and other regions of the world,” she said.
“In terms of geographic location, Bangladesh is perfectly positioned to be a bridge between the East and the West,” she added.
“We already have a market of 17 crore people. At the same time, we have a market in the west side of 50 crore, in the north side 150 crore while on the east side 100 crore,” said the prime minister.
“We already have a market of 17 crore people. At the same time, we have a market in the west side of 50 crore, in the north side 150 crore while on the east side 100 crore,” said the prime minister
The premier made these remarks inaugurating a Japanese economic zone, to be known as Bangladesh Special Economic Zone (BSEZ), at Araihazar in Narayanganj joining virtually from her official Gono Bhaban residence.
Besides, the government has taken various measures that facilitated an increase in the purchasing power of people — a market of 17 crore people, she added.
Hasina said her government has been working for the overall development of the nation through planned industrialisation while protecting arable land and the environment.
Foreign entrepreneurs are expressing interest to invest in the country and the government is also offering special facilities for young entrepreneurs to invest in economic zones, where women entrepreneurs can avail special opportunities, said the premier.
“If women entrepreneurs come forward, we will give them special opportunities. Separate plots will be given for them,” news agency UNB quoted her as saying.
Bangladesh Economic Zones Authority (Beza) and the BSEZ jointly organised the programme at Araihazar where outgoing Japanese Ambassador to Bangladesh ITO Naoki and Sumitomo Corporation President and CEO Masayuki Hyodo were also present.
Beza Executive Chairman Shaikh Yusuf Harun said around 40 companies, including 30 from Japan, have shown interest at investing in the BSEZ.
Once the entire economic zone is opened, it will draw an investment of $1.5 billion, he said, adding that investment agreements have already been signed with Singer and German company Rudolf.
“One lakh people will be employed there,” he added.
The BSEZ will certainly attract investment not only from Japanese companies but also from other foreign companies, said Naoki.
“I expect more than 100 companies to operate here in the future…the BSEZ can provide prospective investors with the best possible environment in the region,” he said.
Under this government, Bangladesh will perform the wonderful feat of making the United Nations status graduation from a least developed to a developing nation in 2026, he said.
Then, the country aims to become a developed country in 2041 by achieving Vision 2041, said Naoki.
“I want to reiterate that Japan will continue to stand by Bangladesh in its development journey and work to build a win-win partnership for our prosperous future,” he said.
The market of Bangladesh is likely to be big and it is also a good place to invest, for which the initiative to establish BSEZ has been taken, said Hyodo.
“Hopefully, it will play an important role in attracting foreign direct investment in Bangladesh,” he added.
At the event, two Japanese companies — Onda Corporation and NICCA CHEMICAL CO — also signed land lease agreements.
(TDS)
