Bangladesh missions abroad will play as a catalyst to promote economic growth by attracting foreign direct investment.
Foreign Minister DR AK Abdul Momen made the observation on Tuesday at a seminar titled ‘Promoting Trade and Investment’.
Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Bangladesh Investment Development Authority and BEPZA jointly organised the programme.
While addressing the function, the minister urged the foreign mission officials to gear up for economic diplomacy.
“We have achieved 16 per cent growth in FDI but to attain the desired growth for graduating into a middle income country this achievement is not enough. So foreign missions should play proactive roles in attracting FDI,” he said.
Asking the foreign ministry officials to concentrate on branding Bangladesh he said, as the Bangladesh missions are the gateways to foreigners, they have to highlight the country by briefing the prospective foreign investors about the huge investment opportunities here.
The minister said apart from promoting trade and investment, the foreign ministry has also initiated programmes to increase manpower recruitment from Bangladesh.
“In countries, where the number of low skilled Bangladeshi workers is high, we have introduced skill development programmes so that they can get better opportunity,” he said.
The minister informed that such programmes have already started in places like Jeddah, Riyadh and Dubai.
Dr Momen also stressed the need for involving Bangladeshi diaspora around the world to attract investments.
“In China 66 per cent of their FDI come through Chinese diaspora. So Bangldeshis living abroad can play a great role in attracting FDI," he added.
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