President calls for foreign investment

President Abdul Hamid has called on investors from across the world to invest in Bangladesh.

Staff Correspondentbdnews24.com
Published : 16 August 2014, 08:49 PM
Updated : 16 August 2014, 08:49 PM

Speaking at the 50th anniversary of the Foreign Investors Chamber of Commerce and Industries (FICCI) on Saturday, the president said Bangladesh at present has a very suitable environment for investment.

“The government is guaranteeing 100 percent security for investment, there is political stability and there is uninterrupted power supply,” he said.

“There’s cheap labour, vast domestic market for manufactured goods, tax holiday, transportation and port facilities and many other incentives. I hope that foreign investors will be encouraged by these facilities,” he said.

He called on FICCI to come forward for the economic development of the country.

“There are enormous opportunities for investment in power generation, gas and oil exploration, infrastructure development, ship-building, textile, leather industry, ICT and agriculture-based industry. Foreign investors can invest in these lucrative sectors."

“I urge the FICCI to extend their cooperation in this regard.”

The government has been working to improve the environment for investment, he said.

“Investment in industry and productive sectors helps achieve long-term sustainable development target,” the president said.

“The government is framing investment-friendly policies and amending the laws and regulations for a better investment environment in Bangladesh, and as a result foreign investment is on the rise,” he said.

He said that according to the central bank, the country received $1.73 billion worth of foreign direct investment in the 2012-13 fiscal.

The president congratulated the FICCI on its 50th anniversary, and hoped that it would continue to play an important role in attracting foreign investment.

He assured the group of full support of the government.

FICCI President and Berger Paints Bangladesh MD Rupali Chowdhury, Youngone Group chairman and CEO Kihak Sung, Centre for Policy Dialogue’s Distinguished Fellow Debapriya Bhattacharya and Standard Chartered Bank CEO Jim McCabe also addressed the event.