Increased FDI key to higher growth
Says PM�s Energy Adviser Tawfiq-e-Elahi
UNB
Prime Ministers Adviser on Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Dr Tawfiq-e-Elahi Chowdhury has underscored the need for an increased FDI inflow to Bangladesh to ensure higher growth, reports UNB.
The adviser also considered the joint chambers as medium of FDI (foreign direct inflow) inflow to Bangladesh.
He was speaking as the chief guest at a discussion - 2nd Joint Chambers Meet -organised by Canada-Bangladesh Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CanCham Bangladesh) in association with the Board of Investment (BoI) at the DCCI auditorium yesterday. Executive Chairman of Board of Investment (BoI) Dr SA Samad chaired the event. President of CanCham Bangladesh Masud Rahman also spoke on the
occasion.
The Board of Investment and CanCham Bangladesh signed a memorandum of understanding to develop and promote, mutual and beneficial understanding to promote local and foreign direct investment in Bangladesh at the event, said a press release. Dr Chowdhury called upon the joint chambers to play a facilitating role in encouraging FDI.
He mentioned that the present government is working hard to improve the infrastructure sector, including increased power and energy generation.
The government has a plan to double the present power generation by the next five to six years, he said.
BoI Chairman Dr Samad said that the MoU signing between BoI and CanCham Bangladesh is a landmark event for public-private partnership initiative.
He said coordinated efforts from all agencies of the government are needed to boost FDI inflow to Bangladesh. Weve taken challenges of sustainable development goals (SDGs), middle-income country status by 2021, 7th Five Year Plan and to be a developed nation by 2041, he said.
To meet these challenges, Dr Samad said, Bangladesh needs to have a good macro-economic strength as well as healthy GDP per capita ratio.
Masud Rahman urged for a strong networking of joint chambers to strengthen their voice in the policy formulation of trade and investment as well as attracting FDI. He said joint chambers have the potential to play a pivotal role in promoting trade and investment between Bangladesh and other countries.
President of Bangladesh Philippines Chamber of Commerce Industry Engr Rashed Maksud Khan, President of Dutch-Bangla Chamber of Commerce Industry Md Hasan Khaled, President of Bangladesh Employers Federation Salahuddin Kasem Khan, Secretary General of Turkey Bangladesh Chamber of Commerce Murat Karaca, Secretary and CEO of India Bangladesh Chamber of Commerce and Industry Jahangir bin Alam, Director of Taiwan Trade Centre Danny Yang, Senior Vice President of China Bangladesh Chamber of Commerce Brig Gen Shah Md Sultan Uddin Iqbal, Birprotik, Vice President of Italy Bangladesh Chamber of Commerce Md Golam Mostafa, EC Member of Switzerland Bangladesh Chamber of Commerce Saad Omar Fahim, Representative of French Bangladesh Chamber of Commerce Montfort Gisage also spoke on the occasion.
They urged the government to allow more private sector investment in power and energy sector.
A joint chambers forum will be effective to accelerate trade and investment, they said.
