Better Bangladesh Foundation in partnership with BBF Global concluded its flagship webinar, Global Entrepreneurship and Investment Summit 2020, says a press release.
The session was hosted online on Sunday, and was attended by MA Mannan, minister of planning, Tipu Munshi, commerce minister, and Md Sirazul Islam, executive chairman of Bangladesh Investment Development Authority (BIDA).
The session was hosted by the Chairman of Better Bangladesh Foundation (BBF), Professor Masud A Khan who took the initiative to begin a discussion about connecting Bangladeshi entrepreneurs with global investment opportunities.
Numerous leaders from business associations both at home and abroad took the opportunity to express their thoughts and insights about working towards a structured approach to attract foreign investments in Bangladesh.
“Bangladesh is no longer a basket case”, quotes Md Sirazul Islam highlighting the numerous initiatives taken from BIDA to encourage entrepreneurship at a grass root level and the plethora of investment opportunities available.
As Bangladesh is moving towards diversifying its export potential from RMG, the common consensus is that it will require time and commitment to attract attention in the global marketplace.
“Bangladesh is longer a destination for cheap labour,” comments Shams Mahmud, president of Dhaka Chamber of Commerce and Industry. “We are capable of establishing any form of industry and compete in those categories with other regional players.”
“There are large opportunities in the industrial supply chain due to the Covid-19 pandemic,” says Ashif Jahan, lead consultant at PanelXP Limited. “We look forward to working with American multinational organisations in partnership with Better Bangladesh Foundation and government agencies to consider Bangladesh as one of their manufacturing partners for industrial and construction materials, with the right PR (public relations) and branding effort.”
Bangladesh hosts both a vibrant work force and a growing base of entrepreneurs in a diverse range of industries. While there are challenges in all aspects but unfortunately the global media focuses on only the negative as of late and not on the positive ones, as noted by FBCCI Vice President Siddiqur Rahman.
“I am greatly awed and inspired by the positive attitude of the Bangladesh NBR community”, said Tipu Munshi. “Bangladeshis living abroad are the brand ambassadors of the country, and if they want to contribute with foreign direct investment into the country, my ministry will co-operate and work 24*7 if required.”
Better Bangladesh Foundation aspires to work closely with local and international media partners, business associations and government agencies to bring about a positive, and much needed transformation in the global perception of our country.
MA Mannan, MP, also commented that we need to take an action oriented approach to ensure proper outcomes which can be measured and analysed.
Dr Atiur Rahman, former governor of Bangladesh Bank, also emphasised the need to highlight Bangladesh’s exponential growth in the last decade in the global arena acknowledging the contribution of our farmers in ensuring the country’s food security.
Among others, the summit was also attended by US-Bangladesh Global Chamber of Commerce Chairperson Aziz Ahmad, BBF Global USA Chief Coordinator Rafiq Khan, BBF Global USA Advisor Sazzad Rashid, BBF Global USA Coordinator Deloar Khan, BBF USA Ashif Jahan, BBF USA Coordinator Arifur Rahman, BBF Italy Chief Coordinator Zakaria Kazi, BBF Malaysia Chief Coordinator Mahbub Alam Shah, BBF Germany Chief Coordinator Abbas Chowdhury, BBF Qatar Chief Coordinator Ashraf Azad, BBF UK Chief Coordinator Councilor, Moin Quadri, Rotary former DG, Safina Rahman and Rtn. Parvin Sultana.
Speakers focused on how to attract foreign investment in Bangladesh and the necessary initiative that must be taken by government to involve non-resident Bangladeshis (NRBs) through Better Bangladesh Foundation (BBF) network all over the globe.
The event concluded with the Chairman of Better Bangladesh Foundation, Professor Masud A Khan thanking its partners and well wishers - BBF Global, Chittagong Stock Exchange and PanelXP for their respective contributions.
