প্রকাশ: 07/09/2022
Prime Minister
Sheikh Hasina today called Bangladesh the most liberal nation for investment,
urging Indian investors to invest largely in her country's infrastructure,
manufacturing, energy and transport sectors.
"I would urge Indian investors to consider possible
investments in infrastructure projects, manufacturing, in energy and transport
sectors. Indian investors and business houses can set up industries in
Bangladesh through Buy-Back arrangements by reducing time, cost and
resources," she said.
She also said that Bangladesh has the most liberal
investment regime in the region with a wide array of facilities, attractive
incentive policies, and consistent reforms.
The prime minister was addressing a high level business
event jointly organised by the Federation of Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce
and Industry (FBCCI) and the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) at the
Ballroom of her palace of residence here.
Presently, she said 100 special economic zones and 28
high-tech parks are being set up across the country aimed at encouraging
investment and rapid economic development through increase and diversification
of industry, employment, production and export.
"For the Indian investors, two dedicated Special
Economic Zones at Mongla and Mirersharai are being developed. I would urge the
business houses present here today to invest there," she said.
The premier said it would further pave the way to harness
the good will of the two friendly countries, and bring economic prosperity to
the region as Bangladesh is uniquely located to enable Indian investors to
export their products to not only the North Eastern States of India, but also
to Nepal, Bhutan, and to South East Asian countries.
Indeed, she said that the time is ripe for the Indian
business community to focus more on Bangladesh and take advantage of its
economic growth, cheaper cost and huge consumer base.
Sheikh Hasina said they have implemented mega projects to
accelerate the growth of industries and to take full advantage of our strategic
location.
The premier mentioned that Bangladesh and India have the
best of relations and said the two neighbouring countries' relations are known
as the Role Model of Neighborhood Diplomacy.
She went on saying: "Bangladesh is India's most
important development and trading partner. India receives the highest number of
tourists and medical patients from Bangladesh."
In this connection, she said that thousands of Indian
nationals are now working in Bangladesh, contributing to both the economies.
She hoped that deep bonds of friendship existing between
Bangladesh and India shall continue to grow and flourish.
"As it does, the business communities of both countries
should draw close and play their due role in fostering mutual prosperity and
economic advancement of our peoples. Thereby, we would be able to bring
prosperity and peace in the region," she added.
The premier said the business event provides an opportunity
to discuss and share ideas among the two countries' business leaders.
"I believe successful ventures call for policy makers
and business leaders to know each other, share ideas and understand respective
priorities, prospects and future plans. This event will hopefully enable
reflection on mutual collaboration on enhancing business, traand de, investment
between our friendly countries," she said.
No doubt, she said the Covid-19 pandemic has greatly
affected global trade while the war in Ukraine has caused the significant rise
of commodity and fuel prices worldwide.
"It has severely affected the established supply chain.
This has led many countries, including those of South Asia, to suffer from an
acute economic crisis," she said.
However, Sheikh Hasina said it is heartening to note that
despite the ongoing challenges, India is among the foremost fastest growing
major economies in the world.
Many experts predict India's economy, which is 6th largest
now, is likely to become the world's third-largest by 2050 following the United
States and China, she said, adding that in fact, the World Bank, ADB and IMF
projects India to remain the fastest growing major economy in the world during
2021-24.
The premier said Bangladesh too, since the devastating
liberation war in 1971, as a sovereign, independent country come a long way
inspired by the Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman's dream
of "Sonar Bangla"- the Golden Bengal.
"From those days of famines and food-aid dependency,
Bangladesh is today self-sufficient in food. It is now one of the largest
global producers of rice, vegetables, grains, and fresh-water fish - to name a
few," she said.
Bangladesh, which had in the past suffered from natural
calamities, is today a global example of disaster preparedness and management,
she said.
It has also achieved huge socio-economic success, attained
impressive growth and thus dubbed a "Development Miracle," she added.
The prime minister said Bangladesh's economy grew over a
decade crossing 7% in FY2015-16, and 8% in FY2018-19.
"Since 2009, the per capita income has increased three
times from around $1,000 to more than $2,800 today. Moreover, remittance in the
fiscal year 2021-2022 increased to $21,031.68 million. These indices reflect
the strength of Bangladesh's economy," she said.
In the last ten years, she said that the total bilateral
trade between Bangladesh and India had an impressive growth with the balance
heavily in favor of India, she said.
The premier said that at present with its improved
manufacturing capacity, Bangladesh is prepared to supply quality products at
competitive prices to the Indian market.
"We, therefore, invite Indian importers to look at
Bangladeshi products which are being imported at higher price from countries
far away," she continued.
She mentioned that to enable larger gains, Bangladesh-India
cooperation should go beyond trade and said that it should include investment,
finance, services, technology transfer, and be placed within the context of
regional cooperation.
The premier informed that in the fiscal year of 2021-22, the
total amount of FDI inflow to Bangladesh was $13,70.357 million while the
proportion from India was only $15.751 million attributing only 1.15%.
"So definitely, there is a real need for more
collaboration between our two countries by way of involving business
communities and trade bodies to find avenues towards deriving two-way trade and
investment benefits," she said.
She told the event that the Padma Bridge, Bangladesh's
longest, has been built entirely by our own funds which was inaugurated on 25
June this year.
"It has connected 21 southern districts directly with
the capital and other parts of the country. It is expected to boost the
country's gross domestic product by 2-3%," she said.
In the last decade, several other infrastructure projects
have been initiated in Bangladesh, she said.
Among these are Bangladesh's first metro rail project MRT
Line-6, and the Karnafuli Tunnel - the first and longest underwater road tunnel
in South Asia, Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant, Dhaka Elevated Expressway, Dhaka
Airport Third Terminal and some other mega-projects, she said.
"Once completed, they would contribute substantially to
Bangladesh's GDP growth," she said.
- BSS
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