DHAKA, Jan 5, 2021 (BSS) – Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen today said the government now stresses on economic diplomacy in a bid to get equitable market access, increasing exportable items and earnings, attracting more FDI and ensuring technology transfer.
The Foreign Minister said this while addressing the inaugural session of the three-day international business conclave titled “1st DCCI Business Conclave 2021”.
Momen joined the inauguration ceremony as the chief guest while Executive Chairman of Bangladesh Investment Development Authority (BIDA) Md. Sirazul Islam joined as special guest.
During this 3-day conclave, some 227 companies from 10 countries will meet for 176 B2B match-making, said a DCCI press release.
Momen said that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and all Bangladesh missions abroad would help DCCI through this kind of endeavours to attract FDI and trade.
Mentioning that the government has been able to handle the balance of lives and livelihood of people under the able leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, he said this business conclave organized by DCCI would connect the local businesses with the foreign business partners and thus strengthen bilateral and multilateral business paradigm in a win-win situation.
He hoped that by the next month, Bangladesh would be able to come out of LDC status.
“Bangladesh is now a lucrative destination for investment in the SAARC and South Asian region. Reducing poverty and increasing more jobs and economic growth and prosperity are the most priority tasks for the government,” he continued.
Mentioning that the government wants to make Bangladesh a global manufacturing hub, Momen said, “We believe connectivity is productivity”
Urging upon all for skills development especially in the SME sector, he informed that the MOFA has established a new wing to deal and coordinate with all trade and investment issues.
Md. Sirazul Islam, Executive Chairman of BIDA, said the economy of Bangladesh is recovering despite the COVID-19 pandemic. “Domestic market demand, export earnings and inward remittance increased remarkably during this pandemic,” he said.
He said despite the pandemic, Bangladesh earned $33.67 billion through exports in the last fiscal year (2019-20).
Mentioning that Bangladesh is ready for the review of LDC graduation in 2021, Sirazul said the Business conclave will rejuvenate the trade and investment in the country as well as will create confidence among the foreign investors.
He invited foreign investments in the sectors like ICT, pharmaceutical, footwear, agriculture, ship-building, light engineering and jute products.
The BIDA Executive Chairman said Matarbari deep sea port will transform the investment landscape of Bangladesh. He said at present 41 services are being provided by the OSS and by this month 10 more services will be added in the OSS.
DCCI President Rizwan Rahman gave the welcome address while Chairman, BUILD Abul Kasem Khan, Immediate Past President of DCCI Shams Mahmud spoke on the occasion while DCCI Senior Vice President N K A Mobin gave the vote of thanks.
Vice President of DCCI Monowar Hossain, 34 diplomats from home and abroad, more than 200 B2B participants from 10 countries and business leaders also joined the conclave.