Dhaka now emphasises economic diplomacy to pursue Bangladesh’s economic interests abroad including market access and securing foreign direct investment.
Foreign Minister AK Abdul Momen said this on Tuesday at the inaugural ceremony of the three-day ‘1st DCCI Business Conclave 2021’, organised by Dhaka Chamber of Commerce and Industry (DCCI).
“We would like to make Bangladesh a global manufacturing hub… We believe connectivity is productivity,” he told the virtual business conference connecting 10 countries.
“Bangladesh has now become a lucrative destination in the SAARC and South Asian region for investment.”
Appreciating the DCCI initiative, the minister said all Bangladesh missions abroad would help the DCCI through this kind of endeavours to attract FDI and promote trade.
He mentioned that the foreign ministry has set up a new wing to deal and coordinate with all trade and investment issues.
Referring to Bangladesh’s trade and investment recovery strategies, DCCI President Rizwan Rahman said entrepreneurs from participating countries should come up with an initiative to invest in the country’s manufacturing sectors to reap dividends of accelerated economic growth.
“We hope, this international business conclave will deepen economic ties between Bangladesh and participating economies and will facilitate manifold trade and investment opportunities for Bangladesh and partner countries,” he added.
Executive chairman of Bangladesh Investment Development Agency (BIDA) Md Sirazul Islam aired optimism that the business conclave would enhance confidence in Bangladesh among foreign investors.
He invited foreign entrepreneurs to invest in the sectors such as ICT, pharmaceutical, footwear, agriculture, ship-building, light engineering and jute products.
Shams Mahmud, immediate past president of DCCI, said to increase trade and investment and revive global trading network, “we need to diversify our product basket, trade destinations and innovative trading mechanism.”
Among others, 34 diplomats from home and abroad, and more than 200 business personalities and business leaders joined the conclave.
