Bangladesh woos US investors

Bangladesh has urged the US entrepreneurs to increase their US investment in Bangladesh, taking the opportunity of the congenial atmosphere prevailing in the country. A high-level Bangladesh delegation, led by Foreign Minister AK Abdul Momen, made the call during two sessions with the US entrepreneurs in Washington DC on Tuesday.

Awami League leader Mahbubul Alam Hanif, MP, Nahim Razzaq, MP, Foreign Secretary Masud Bin Momen, Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (West) Shabbir Ahmed Chowdhury and Bangladesh Ambassador to the United States M Shahidul Islam were, among others, present on the occasion. Among the business representatives of Bangladesh, Bashundhara Group Managing Director Sayem Sobhan Anvir and Chairman of Padma Bank Ltd Dr Chowdhury Nafeez Sarafat were present, said a press release. The sessions were attended by US Congressman Steve Cabot, Senator Chuck Schumer, Sidhanta Mehra from the International Affairs Division of the US Chamber of Commerce, SVP General Counsel and Corporate Secretary David Ringhofer, Senior Director of American Tower Corporation Sanjay Aggarwal and other influential business representatives of the USA. Foreign Minister Momen said Bangladesh is committed to building everlasting friendship with the United States. He called upon the American entrepreneurs to increase their investment in Bangladesh, saying congenial atmosphere is prevailing for business in Bangladesh. “We want to see the United States diversify its investment in Bangladesh, not only in the ICT, agriculture and renewable energy sector but also in other sectors. I hope a platform will be activated to strengthen the economic partnership, economic cooperation between the two countries and people-to-people connection of the two countries,” he said. During the sessions, Padma Bank Chairman Nafeez Sarafat mentioned that US trade relations with Bangladesh have steadily been strengthening. "A very constructive and effective discussion took place with the US businessmen to invest more in Bangladesh, taking advantage of the investment climate that the current government has ensured.” American investors are investing in Bangladesh in various fields, he said. “The United States is the second largest investor in Bangladesh after the United Kingdom. Its investment in Bangladesh so far is about one billion dollars. Another 1.5 billion is expected to be invested in power plants, coal mines and fertiliser projects," the Padma Bank chairman said.  

SOURCE : Daily Sun