Let's be partners, PM Hasina tells business dialogue in Sweden

Swedish companies should join Bangladesh in its economic transformation, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has told a business dialogue in Stockholm.

Senior Correspondentbdnews24.com
Published : 16 June 2017, 10:38 AM
Updated : 16 June 2017, 11:44 AM

"I strongly encourage you, the leaders of Swedish business and industry to partner with us in investment, trade, and innovative businesses for a shared prosperity," she said at the Bangladesh-Sweden Business and Investment Forum on Friday.

A memorandum of understanding between Sweden-Bangladesh business council and Nordic Chamber of Commerce and Industry was signed during the meeting.

Hasina, the first Bangladesh head of government to be on a bilateral visit to the Scandinavian nation, spoke of Bangladesh's success in the sectors for ready-made garment, pharmaceutical drugs and ship building.

Bangladesh was diversifying and mechanising its economy which had once relied solely on agriculture, she said. "We have the most liberal investment policy in South Asia." 

In her speech at the Rosenbad Conference Center, Hasina highlighted her meeting with Swedish Prime Minister Stefan Löfven, who invited her for the three-day bilateral visit. 

She said her meeting with Löfven was "very fruitful" and they both "agreed to deepen and widen relations, particularly by promoting more two-way trade and investments."

Bangladesh-Sweden relations began when Stockholm recognised Bangladesh's independence following the 1971 War of Liberation. "After that our relations grew strength to strength," Hasina said.

"Today, Bangladesh-Sweden relationship is deeper and stronger than ever before. This is the time to unlock full potential of our relations."

"I believe, our two business communities utilised the opportunity to share views and experiences, exchanging information and ideas and conveying what we can offer to each other."

FBCCI President Shafiul Islam Mohiuddin and Executive Chairman of Bangladesh Investment Development Authority Kazi Aminul Islam gave separate presentations at the dialogue.

Swedish Minister of Enterprise and Innovation Mikael Damberg also addressed the event.

A 47-member business delegation is accompanying the prime minister on the visit due to end on Friday. The flight carrying her back to Dhaka is scheduled to arrive on Saturday.