Dutch Ambassador in Dhaka Harry Verweij, said on Sunday that Bangladesh is a land of numerous opportunities, and positive branding of it is essential to bolster potential investors. He emphasized on the need to remove the negatives that keep investors at bay.
“We need to position the image of Bangladesh at the center of all. What is your image? What do we need to have in mind to understand and portray Bangladesh? It is a country with a young population, and a fertile ground of young entrepreneurs,” he told a program styled ‘DCAB Talk’, organized by the Diplomatic Correspondent Association, Bangladesh at the auditorium of the Bangladesh Institute of International and Strategic Studies.
Flanked by DCAB President Raheed Ejaz and General Secretary Nurul Islam Hasib, the Dutch envoy noted that the press can play an important role in portraying positive things of Bangladesh, and said, “There are many positive diversifications going on.”
Referring to the World Bank’s finding that shows Bangladesh being very low, and at the bottom, when it comes to doing business here. He said, “Key to the matter is. I will be honest here. It is extremely challenging, if not extremely difficult, to establish a company here.”
Transparency with regard to fraud and corruption is another significant aspect to deal with while doing business in Bangladesh, Verweij said, adding that these negative elements obstruct the potential investors from committing to long term investment projects.
“The ‘brand Bangladesh’ must be rejuvenated and upgraded. There is so much positive to tell of this amazing country: economic vibrancy, diversification, productivity, economic growth, warm and welcoming people,” said the envoy.
“Bangladesh’s message must be clear, distinctive and recognizable,” he said.
The Ambassador also touched on issues related to Rohingya crisis, the ongoing activities of the International Criminal Court (ICC) based in his country, Bangladesh Delta Plan 2100, freedom of speech, democracy, human rights, RMG sector and his country’s interest to expand bilateral and trade relations with Bangladesh.
“Bangladesh ranks 150th in the 2019 World Press Freedom Index, to improve, we must allow space for others to give their opinion and the right to disagree. No one should get offended by the truth or at another's message, and creative indulgence. Free speech is life itself. Journalism is what makes a democracy work,” he said, adding that freedom to express is directly linked to fostering human rights and democracy.
“At present, Dutch and Bangladeshi teams are working together, making a coordinated implementation of the Delta 2100 plan possible. We are providing knowhow through our specialized government agencies, our knowledge institutes, and our private sectors,” said the Ambassador. The plan will be launched this year, he said.
“We see room for expanding our bilateral trade relations. We will be focusing on our advanced maritime industries and on our formidable agro-food industries,” he said.
“The BDP (Bangladesh Delta Plan) 2100 will be one of the important gateway to galvanize our efforts in broadening the scope of our bilateral cooperation to areas like maritime development and Inland Water Transport,” said Verweij.
“The Netherlands private sector, hopefully, can play a vital role in these areas; at present Dutch companies are engaged in developing Chittagong and Payra ports. At the same time the Netherlands is providing support for capacity development, and knowledge generation for maritime development,” he said.