The conference, they said, will disseminate information on Bangladesh's overall economic potentials, untapped capital market and reforms in the last decade, current legal and governance frameworks, and public and private foreign investment opportunities with special focus on some sectors of interest such as power, telecom, textile, pharmaceuticals and financial services.

In a word, Bangladesh will be presented as one of the most attractive destinations, especially for foreign investors, the organisers said announcing the programme schedule at a press conference in the capital yesterday.

Country's premier bourse Dhaka Stock Exchange (DSE) and globally acclaimed financial services company Citigroup's Bangladesh chapter are jointly organising the first-ever conference titled 'Bangladesh - The New Investment Frontier' on May 5 and 6 at Dhaka Sheraton Hotel.

The organisers also hoped that reputed equity and fixed income investors from across the globe, leading corporate houses, regulators, market intermediaries and other stakeholders will attend the conference.

Speaking at the press conference, DSE Chief Executive Officer Salahuddin Ahmed Khan said although Bangladesh is currently maintaining a consistent economy, mainly driven by exports, a significant private sector led investment is needed in major infrastructure projects such as power and telecommunications, and export-oriented sectors like pharmaceuticals and textile.

"Instead of foreign aid we feel the necessity of foreign investment in the country's development process. And through this conference we will highlight Bangladesh with all its potentials to the foreign investors," he said.

Citing the proverb 'seeing is believing', Mamun Rashid, managing director and country officer of Citigroup Bangladesh, said the foreign investors, including leading equity and fixed income investors, from across the globe will not only have an idea of the country's capital market but will also look into the investment opportunities here.

"We want to present Bangladesh as a potential investment destination to them through the conference," he said.

Replying to a query, he said his organisation may be listed with the stock exchange if there is encouraging or financially stimulating elements in the government policies.

Abrar A Anwar, head of Corporate Bank, Citibank NA, said there is a surplus liquidity in the Asia Pacific and Middle East regions and entrepreneurs from those regions are looking for new investment destinations, especially in emerging economies or developing countries.

Given this positive growth trajectory and the overall investor liquidity in the regions, it is a right time to attract the surplus liquidity in Bangladesh, he said.

"We have already started publicity of this conference in the world's different capital market hubs and we hope that at least 50 to 75 reputed investment organisations will take part at the conference," he said.

Among others, DSE President Abdullah Bokhari and Senior Vice President Ahmad Rashid Lali spoke at the press conference.