Bangladesh to Bridge between East-West for Business: PM

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina Tuesday said the businessmen who come to invest in Bangladesh would get the opportunity to avail the market of South and Southeast Asia as Bangladesh will make a bridge between east and west for expanding business, reports BSS.

"In future, Bangladesh will be developed as a communication bridge between East and West," she said while inaugurating the weeklong "Bangladesh Trade and Investment Summit-2021" at Bangabandhu International Conference Center (BICC).

Joining virtually from Ganabhaban in the capital as the chief guest, Sheikh Hasina said different opportunities are being created in various ways keeping in mind the geographical location and importance of Bangladesh.

She opined, "Those who come to invest in Bangladesh will not only get Bangladesh, I would say there will also be an ample opportunity (for them) to capture South Asia and Southeast Asian market and export".

The prime minister added it will further help expand trade and commerce in the country.

Sheikh Hasina said the communication networks are being built all over the country through improving water, rail, road and airways.

Mentioning that, there was only one international airport in Dhaka in 1996, she said after assuming office, Chattogram and Sylhet airports have been turned into international ones while work is going on for another international airport in tourist hub Cox's Bazar.

"We are developing Syedpur airport as a regional one so that the neighbouring countries can also use it," she added.

Speaking about the seaports, Sheikh Hasina said they are improving the country's principle Chattogram seaport, Mongla port and a new Payra port, which will be developed as a deep seaport in future.

Extensive development work is also being done at Maheshkhali in Cox's Bazar centring the new seaport, which will also turn into a deep seaport in future, she added.

As part of the celebration of the birth centenary of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and the Golden Jubilee of the country's Independence, the Ministry of Commerce and Dhaka Chamber of Commerce and Industry (DCCI) are jointly hosting this international virtual Summit.

Foreign Minister AK Abdul Momen, Commerce Minister Tipu Munshi, Prime Minister's Private Industry and Investment Adviser Salman F Rahman, Commerce Secretary Tapan Kanti Ghosh, President of Federation of Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce and Industries (FBCCI) Md Jashim Uddin and President of DCCI Rizwan Rahman also spoke at the ceremony.

An audio-visual documentary on Bangladesh's economic progress was screened.

The summit includes nine sectors, underscoring critical enablers and avenues of the economy, seeking massive investments especially in Infrastructure (Physical, logistics and Energy), IT/ITES and FINTECH, Leather goods, Pharmaceuticals, Automotive and Light Engineering, Plastic products, Agro and Food Processing, Jute and Textiles and FMCG (Fast-moving consumer

goods) and retail business.

A total of 552 companies from 38 countries along with Bangladesh of five continents will participate in 450 business to business (B2B) match-making sessions, which will help explore new business opportunities and attract FDI in Bangladesh.

Six webinars on different trade and investment-related issues will be organized, where representatives from the business community, experts from local and international and Policymakers will participate to put their insights on these issues.