DHAKA, Sept 13, 2023 (BSS) - Prime Minister's Private Industry and Investment 
Adviser Salman F Rahman today urged the entrepreneurs of commonwealth 
countries to invest in Bangladesh's different sectors, including agriculture, 
industry and information technology (IT).

"Bangladesh is ready to facilitate special policy support for Commonwealth 
economies to fetch more foreign direct investment (FDI)," he said while 
speaking at a seminar on 'The Bangladesh Opportunity-Commonwealth 
Partnerships' at a hotel in the city. 

He said, "Bangladesh is well positioned country among the Global South 
economies. Besides, Bay of Bengal is emerging as a critical region in the 
competition for control of sea lanes and global trade. Economies under 
umbrella of Commonwealth can leverage the opportunities for trade or setting 
manufacturing unites."

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina today inaugurated the Commonwealth Trade and 
Investment Forum as the chief guest at Bangabandhu International Conference 
Centre (BICC) in the city.

Bangladesh Investment Development Authority (BIDA), Ministry of Foreign 
Affairs and Zi Foundation are partners of conference. Over 300 international 
delegates including 13 ministers from Commonwealth countries are 
participating in the two-day conference. 

In his speech, Salman mentioned that Bangladesh's strategic location at the 
apex of the Bay of Bengal brings significant responsibilities as a 
facilitator and connector between regions and competing powers.

"Bangladesh economy is expected to reach top 485 American dollars by the end 
of this year. A robust demographic dividend, strong apparel exports, 
resilient remittance inflows, and stable macroeconomic conditions have 
supported rapid economic growth over the past one decade," he added.

There was presented an overview of Bangladesh and investment opportunities in 
the economy with immense potentials of growth towards the 2041 strategic 
goal. 

In opening remark, CWEIC Chairman Lord Marland said Bangladesh can take 
opportunity to extend economic cooperation among Commonwealth nations.

"Bangladesh has proven its excellence in apparel export in the world. 
Countries under Commonwealth platform can follow the best practices in the 
sectors. We want to connect every dot of possibilities through Commonwealth, 
home to 2.5 billion people and includes both advanced economies and 
developing countries," Marland said.

Bangladesh Securities and Exchange Commission (BSEC) Chairman Prof Shibli 
Rubayat-Ul-Islam, FBCCI President Mahbubul Alam, Unilever Bangladesh 
President Zaved Akhtar and British International Investment managing director 
Srini Nagarajan were in the panel discussion. 

BBC Broadcaster Tanya Beckett moderated the session.

Commerce Minister Tipu Munshi was the chief guest at another panel discussion 
titled 'Global Economy: Breaking down Barriers to Trade' at the same venue.

Government of Dominica Foreign Minister Dr Vince Henderson, Sri Lanka 
Minister of State for investment Promotion Dilum S Amunugama, Government of 
Cameroon Finance Minister Louis Paul Motaz‚ were guests of honour on the 
occasion.

Another session titled "Mental Health in the Workplace: Creating a Positive 
Working Environment held later on afternoon. United Kingdom MP Paul Bristow 
and Institute of Occupational Safety and Health head of strategic engagement 
Alan Stevens and 21 Foundation Chair Zillur Hussain took part in the session.

Commonwealth of Nations, often simply referred to as the Commonwealth, is an 
international association of 56 member states, the vast majority of which are 
former territories of the British Empire.