PM urges foreign businesses to invest here

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina yesterday called upon foreign businesspeople and entrepreneurs to choose Bangladesh for investment and sourcing, saying the country had turned into a favourable destination for it, according to news agency BSS.

She also urged the country's businesspeople to secure foreign partners to utilise their technology and knowledge in the local industries.

She spoke while inaugurating a Made in Bangladesh Week 2022 at Bangabandhu International Conference Centre in Dhaka, where five apparel exporters were awarded for their outstanding contribution to the garment sector. 

The Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) in partnership with Bangladesh Apparel Exchange organised the events to showcase the capability of the country's apparel sector before the world.

The awardees are Ranjan Mahtani, executive chairman of Epic Group, Shovon Islam, managing director of Sparrow Group, Amal Podder, managing director of Panam Group, SM Khaled, managing director of Snowtex Group, and Shahadat Hossan, managing director of Fortis Group.

Bangladesh is developing connectivity with South Asia and Southeast Asia as this region is a huge market due to its large population, Hasina said.

"Bangladesh is connecting with Trans-Asian railway and Trans-Asian highway. In addition, we are also developing waterways, airways and railways communications," she said.

Pointing out that Bangladesh is setting up 100 special economic zones around the country, she said, "We want local and foreign investment in those zones."

Hasina stressed on developing processing of agricultural goods and setting up food processing industries in the economic zones as demand for the products would never decline in local and foreign markets.

She emphasised preparing for the 4th industrial revolution by building up skilled human resources and using artificial intelligence in local industries.

"We'll have to work considering the 4IR impacts on economy and employment. We'll have to take steps for using everything like artificial robots, AI and latest technology in our industry during the 4IR era. We're taking the steps," she added.

Earlier, Hasina went round different stalls at the exhibition venue. She also unveiled two coffee table books.

"The Untold Stories of Bangladesh RMG Industry: Economic, Social and Environmental Good Practices" aims to highlight the industry's positive changes throughout the years while "Beauty of Bangladesh" tries to articulate the unseen beauty of Bangladesh.

At the outset of the function, BGMEA President Faruque Hassan presented a tree and crest to the premier and delivered the welcome address. 

 Prime Minister's Private Industry and Investment Affairs Adviser Salman F Rahman, International Apparel Federation President Cem Atlan and BGMEA Senior Vice President SM Mannan (Kochi) also spoke.

Opening with the theme "Care for Fashion", the weeklong events will continue till November 18 showcasing products and services in the garment sector.

They include Dhaka Apparel Expo, the main event, opening yesterday to showcase different clothing items to global consumers at International Convention City, Bashundhara in Dhaka.

Promoting "Made in Bangladesh" is the main objective of the event as the BGMEA wants to increase the market share of Bangladeshi apparel in the global market.