PM Seeks Investment from Commonwealth Countries in Bangladesh

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina today sought investment from Commonwealth countries along with others in Bangladesh to draw a market of 3 billion people in the region as she opened the two-day Commonwealth Trade and Investment Forum-2023 here.

"Geographically, Bangladesh is at the center of a market of 3 billion people, and we have 170 million people of our own," she told the Forum's grand inauguration at the Bangabandhu International Conference Center (BICC) as chief guest.

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 that as a prerequisite for "Biniyog Bikash", or investment promotion, her government prioritized organizational reforms, including the formation of the Bangladesh Investment Development Authority (BIDA) and the Bangladesh Economic Zones Authority (BEZA), which offer attractive facilities for investors, and ensure 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.