Bangladesh is set to host Commonwealth Trade and Investment Forum on September 13 and 14.
Prime Minister's Private Industry and Investment Adviser Salman F Rahman, State Minister for Foreign Affairs Md Shahriar Alam, and Member of the UK House of Lords Hugo Swire, who is also the deputy chairman of the Commonwealth Enterprise and Investment Council (CWEIC) made the announcement at a press briefing in Dhaka on Sunday.
Commonwealth is an association of 56 countries that were former British colonies.
Dhaka TribunePreviously the Forum was organized in the United Kingdom, Singapore, Kenya, Rwanda, and Malta.
The Commonwealth Enterprise and Investment Council (CWEIC) in partnership with the Bangladesh Investment Development Authority (BIDA), Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and ZI Foundation will organize the forum in Dhaka.
The announcement of hosting the summit came at a time when Bangladesh is also facing the heat of the global crisis emanating from the Ukraine-Russia war.
Hugo Swire said different commonwealth countries have different priorities. "We don't set policy that will be done by the Commonwealth secretariat. But as a Commonwealth enterprise and business council, we connect people and companies with each other so as the business grows across the Commonwealth."
Zillur Hussain, strategic advisor, Bangladesh, Commonwealth Enterprise and Investment Council, while speaking at the event, said heads of the states, and political and business leaders of the Commonwealth members will be attending the forum this year.
"So, the forum will offer a platform for promoting trade, investment, and economic growth. It aims to foster partnerships, promote innovation, and explore avenues for sustainable and inclusive economic development for Bangladesh," he said.
Prime Minister's Private Industry and Investment Adviser Salman F Rahman said the forum would give opportunities for Bangladesh businesses to learn from others how they are managing the global crisis.
"We can exchange views with others," he said.
State Minister for Foreign Affairs Md Shahriar Alam said though Bangladesh is hosting such an event for the first time, the country is already prepared to take business from the Commonwealth countries.
"In the last 10 years, our government has built 100 economic zones and offered those to foreign investors. We are also investing in deep sea ports.”
He added: “We have already seen economic growth and renewed enthusiasm for Bangladesh. The connectivity that Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has established in the region is also unpreventable. So, Bangladesh is open for business," he said.
