Dhaka urges London to invest in PPP

Bangladesh has urged the United Kingdom to invest more in the country, particularly in the big projects undertaken under Public-Private Partnership.
During a meeting with UK Minister of State for Trade and Investment Francis Maude on the sidelines of the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) in Malta on Tuesday, Foreign Minister AH Mahmood Ali briefed on ‘the huge investment and business opportunities in Bangladesh, especially the major infrastructure development programmes and projects undertaken by the present government to realise the government’s Vision 2021’.
The foreign minister informed that 100 special economic zones had been earmarked for foreign investors which had already generated considerable interest among many investors from various countries, according to a press release issued by the foreign ministry yesterday.
‘It will be a missed opportunity for the British investors and businessmen if they fail to take advantage of the offers currently available in Bangladesh’, it said quoting the minister.
He informed that many big projects have been taken up under Public-Private Partnership arrangements and he invited British investments in those as well as in ICT and innovation parks and blue economy.
Ali suggested that the Bangladeshi diaspora in the UK could also be involved in such projects.
The minister also raised the difficulties facing the curry industry in UK due to restrictions on employing chefs from Bangladesh.  
He emphasised that it was not a migration issue rather a business matter which unless addressed properly could severely affect the billions of pound curry industry.
Recalling considerable British investment in Bangladesh, Maude expressed his interest in enhancing cooperation in different sectors, especially in infrastructure projects.
In this connection, he referred to the Paira Port feasibility study being done by the British experts and highlighted the British expertise in complex engineering, operational and management capacities in running the sea and air ports, power projects, container terminal, railway and highways.
He also expressed keen interest of the British private sector to invest in these projects and referred to their excellence in services sectors including investment financing, insurance and reinsurance services.

Dhaka urges London to invest in PPP

Bangladesh has urged the United Kingdom to invest more in the country, particularly in the big projects undertaken under Public-Private Partnership. During a meeting with UK Minister of State for Trade and Investment Francis Maude on the sidelines of the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) in Malta on Tuesday, Foreign Minister AH Mahmood Ali briefed on the huge investment and business opportunities in Bangladesh, especially the major infrastructure development programmes and projects undertaken by the present government to realise the governments Vision 2021. The foreign minister informed that 100 special economic zones had been earmarked for foreign investors which had already generated considerable interest among many investors from various countries, according to a press release issued by the foreign ministry yesterday. It will be a missed opportunity for the British investors and businessmen if they fail to take advantage of the offers currently available in Bangladesh, it said quoting the minister. He informed that many big projects have been taken up under Public-Private Partnership arrangements and he invited British investments in those as well as in ICT and innovation parks and blue economy. Ali suggested that the Bangladeshi diaspora in the UK could also be involved in such projects. The minister also raised the difficulties facing the curry industry in UK due to restrictions on employing chefs from Bangladesh. He emphasised that it was not a migration issue rather a business matter which unless addressed properly could severely affect the billions of pound curry industry. Recalling considerable British investment in Bangladesh, Maude expressed his interest in enhancing cooperation in different sectors, especially in infrastructure projects. In this connection, he referred to the Paira Port feasibility study being done by the British experts and highlighted the British expertise in complex engineering, operational and management capacities in running the sea and air ports, power projects, container terminal, railway and highways. He also expressed keen interest of the British private sector to invest in these projects and referred to their excellence in services sectors including investment financing, insurance and reinsurance services.