The killing of two foreigners within only a few days’ gap in Bangladesh could affect foreign direct investment and export-oriented industries as such incidents would tarnish the country’s image in abroad, local entrepreneurs feared.
After the murder of Tavella, an Italian aid worker, on Monday night in the capital Dhaka, a Japanese national Kunio Hoshi was also shot dead in a village of northern Rangpur district.
“Over the past few years, the country’s FDI flow has remained slow. Japan is considering Bangladesh as its investment destination, while special economic zones for Japanese investors are also set to be built in Chittagong,” Ex-FBCCI President Mir Nasir Hossain told the Dhaka Tribune.
If the foreigners felt insecure, FDI would be hampered, he said terming the incidents as an ominous sign for the investment and business of the country.
Nasir urged the government to promptly act in arresting the killers and also provide proper assurances of safety to the foreigners.
Exporters Association of Bangladesh President Abdus Salam Murshedy said the country’s business scenario was stable and there were efforts to rescue image, but such incidents could ruin all the attempts and achievements.
He said some buyers had already delayed scheduled visits, which was not good for export sector.
“If the situation deteriorates, we have to meet buyers abroad. If so happens, some buyers could even withdraw orders,” Murshedy said adding the tourism sector would also be hurt.
Faruque Hassan, senior vice president of Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA), said the killing of Japanese national would worsen the situation which the country faced after the killing of Italian.
“Though I had said the incident of an Italian was an isolated incident, killing of another foreigner just in days has raised the worries. This could cast a shadow on the country’s largest sector – RMG.”
He said it was “unfortunate and unexpected” that the buying season of garments was ahead before Christmas. “If buyers feel insecure here, the sector will face huge losses.”
He said the BGMEA would sit with the buyers’ representatives to discuss the developments.
“I will talk to foreign affairs minister and urge him to provide all assurances of safety to foreign citizens,” Faruque Hassan said.
