In an effort to pursue foreign investment from Malaysia Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina yesterday told Malaysian entrepreneurs that her government in Bangladesh is reviewing the country’s investment facilitation regime to simplify the process for foreign investment.
“We’re revisiting our entire investment facilitation regime to simplify processes. We’re looking at our legal frameworks in attracting further foreign investments,” she told the Dialogue on Investment and Trade Opportunities in Bangladesh at Hotel Grand Hyatt in Kuala Lampur.
The premier said this during her three-day visit to Malaysia where she has also signed four deals with the Malaysian government on issues of visa and tourism, manpower export, and art and culture, reports UNB.
At the Dialogue, Hasina expressed hopes that Malaysian investors would reconsider Bangladesh a comptetitive destination in the Asia-Pacific region, given her government was creating as many as 18 Special Economic Zones (SEZs).
“In spite of our limitations and a low level of economic development, Bangladesh offers advantages and incentives that should merit your (Entrepreneurs) due consideration,” UNB quoted her as saying.
“I believe sectors like road, power, energy, tourism and hospitality, waste management, water supply are some of the infrastructure sectors which should merit your attention,” she said.
“Equally attractive is the entire chain of food and agriculture sector. And, Bangladesh is ready to consider any form of partnership, including Public Private Partnership (PPP).”
She added that in the process of deepening connectivity across Bangladesh, changed production patterns, industrial concentrations and value chains have great prospects to benefit Bangladesh.
She further lauded Bangladesh’s fast economic growth, saying Bangladesh’s economy is growing fast despite the scarcity of energy in the country, the UNB report said.
In response to interest shown by the chairman of Bintang AEG-CR23G JV Consortium, Hasina addressed the issue of Dhaka’s notorious traffic and said Dhaka needs circular roads and railway lines to address the issue.
President of Malaysia South-South Association (MASSA) Tan Sri Azman Hashim delivered the welcoming address.
Bangladesh High Commissioner to Malaysia AKM Atiqur Rahman made the closing remarks at the Dialogue which was also attended by Foreign Minister AH Mahmood Ali, Senior Secretary of the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) Md Abul Kalam Azad, Samy Vellu, Malaysian PM’s Special Envoy of Infrastructure to India and Southern Asia and FBCCI President Kazi Akramuddin Ahmed.
