Promote Bangladesh abroad to woo investment

Chief Adviser Professor Muhammad Yunus has asked Bangladesh Export Processing Zones Authority (BEPZA) to promote Bangladesh abroad in a bid to bring more investment.

The Chief Adviser said this when BEPZA officials submitted its annual report for the 2023-24 financial years to him at his office at Tejgaon, Dhaka on Monday.

The Chief Adviser also asked BEPZA to collaborate with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for the purpose.

He, as well, urged BEPZA officials to engage Bangladeshi students studying abroad, especially in China and Japan, to help investors overcome language barriers before making investment choices.

BEPZA Executive Chairman Major General Abul Kalam Mohammad Ziaur Rahman said they are already receiving positive responses from investors following the July-August uprising in Bangladesh and the repeatedly changing global political landscape. 

“In the past three weeks, we have received a USD $135 million investment proposal from the Chinese investors. Talks are underway for more investments,” he told the Chief Adviser. 

He said currently eight export processing zones are operational in Bangladesh, housing 452 factories. There are 136 more factories currently under construction in the zones.

Special Envoy to the chief adviser Lutfey Siddiqi, who was present on the occasion, put emphasis on targeted economic diplomacy.

Bangladesh Investment Development Authority (BIDA) Chairman Ashik Chowdhury said Bangladesh should encourage the investors investing in export processing zones.

Principal Secretary to the chief adviser Md Siraj Uddin Miah was also present at the meeting.