Local investment in Bangladesh increased by 27 per cent in 2020 despite Covid-19 uncertainty, BIDA chief Md. Sirazul Islam said, appreciating entrepreneurs for their strength and zeal.
He told a DCCI delegation on Monday that the government is trying to establish multimodal transportation system to save time and reduce cost of doing business for promoting investment.
“A mother vessel has come to Matarbari deep sea port for the first time, which is a good sign for investors. Once the port is fully operational, it will help reduce cost of doing business,” the official pointed out.
The DCCI team, led by newly elected President of Dhaka Chamber of Commerce and Industry (DCCI) Rizwan Rahman, called on Mr. Sirazul Islam, Executive Chairman of Bangladesh Investment Development Authority (BIDA) at the latter’s office.
DCCI Senior Vice President NKA Mobin, Vice President Monowar Hossain and Secretary General Afsarul Arifeen were present there.
The BIDA chief mentioned that given the Covid-19 situation, the agency mandated to facilitate investment in the country has kept up its communications with different investment organisations and companies online.
The BIDA will organise “Thousand Entrepreneurs Conclave” to commemorate the birth centenary of Bangabandhu, and also “Bangabandhu Memorial International Investment Summit” this year.
Mr. Islam requested the DCCI leaders to provide necessary support to the BIDA initiative.
The DCCI president mentioned that the trade body is organising an international business conclave utilising online platform on Tuesday-Thursday to attract foreign investment and joint ventures in the country.
“First of all we have to ensure investment-friendly environment and policies for investment development,” Mr Rizwan said.
Saying that the DCCIis also planning to organise road shows in potential countries to attract FDI, the business leader sought possible cooperation from the BIDA in this regard.
Dwelling on the one-stop service (OSS) offered by the BIDA, he maintained that effective implementation of OSS and diversity of services arekey to raise investors’ confidence.
