German investors talk energy with Hasina

A high-profile German business and investment delegation yesterday apprised Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina of their keen interest to invest in sectors such as gas exploration, coalmining and renewable energy.

Meeting with Hasina at her office, the eight-member delegation led by Peter Clasen, head of Bangladesh section of OAV, a network of German companies doing business in the Asia-Pacific countries, said they are interested in expanding trade and business in Bangladesh.

The Germans prefer Dhaka and Chittagong as their chosen places of investment, Prime Minister's Press Secretary Abul Kalam Azad told reporters after the meeting.

The delegation also expressed their willingness to help Bangladesh in modernising its agriculture system by building modern technology-based farms and imparting training to the farmers on processing organic food items.

On renewable energy, the team said Germany as an expert country in this sector can help Bangladesh introduce solar energy and biogas systems on a massive scale.

Hasina expressed her happiness following the delegation's interest in making investment in Bangladesh.

She said Germany can import ceramics, leather products and pharmaceuticals from Bangladesh.

In this context, the prime minister mentioned that Bangladesh has already started exporting ships to Germany, the Netherlands and Denmark-opening up a new vista for external trade.

Hasina observed that Bangladesh could not achieve its development at required level as its democracy could not run uninterruptedly in the past.