State Minister for Foreign Affairs Shama Obaed Islam on Saturday said the Ministry of Foreign Affairs remains fully open and committed to supporting investors and business leaders, adding that it is working in close coordination with the Bangladesh Investment Development Authority (BIDA) to address challenges faced by development partners.
She made the remarks at a conference titled “Trade, Economic Growth and Economic Diplomacy Action Plan”, jointly organised by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and BIDA at a hotel in the capital.
“I meet with various business leaders and every investor, and I have assured them that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is always open. We are ready,” she said.
“I have already spoken to the BIDA chairman that BIDA and the Foreign Ministry should always remain united. Our development partners and investors, if they face any crisis, we must work together to resolve it.”
Shama Obaed Islam said that Bangladesh is currently on a “new journey” toward a more open and investment-friendly environment, where the country is ready for investment, business expansion and any kind of challenge.
“We are prepared for business, prepared for investment, and prepared for any kind of challenge. Bangladesh is moving forward with the expectation of a more open economy,” she said.
She added that the government is working to build a strong bridge between businesses, investors, development partners and trade bodies, including chambers and other stakeholders, to strengthen economic engagement.
She further noted that, under the leadership of Prime Minister Tarique Rahman, efforts are being made within the current government framework to enhance coordination and cooperation among all stakeholders for national development.
“If everyone in this room remains united and we work as ‘Team Bangladesh,’ then it is achievable,” she said. “We are here to talk about our challenges. Since taking office, we have faced a Gulf war situation that is still ongoing, along with various crises and challenges.”
The state minister also referred to ongoing energy and economic pressures, saying Bangladesh inherited a struggling economy that, according to her, had been “damaged over the past 17 years.” She stressed the need to restore investor confidence as a top priority for the Foreign Ministry.
“I am a political activist. I meet people from different walks of life every day,” she said, adding that interactions with citizens, including schoolchildren in her constituency, strengthen her optimism about the country’s future.
She expressed confidence that Bangladesh is moving toward building a “new, prosperous and resilient” nation under the current government’s leadership.