Make it easier for foreign investors
Says former BB governor Atiur Rahman
Former Bangladesh Bank governor Atiur Rahman yesterday suggested to improve Bangladesh's global “ease of doing business” ranking in order to draw foreign investment.
Bangladesh ranked the lowest among South Asian nations in World Bank's Ease of Doing Business index of 2019.
“We cannot let foreign investors think twice on whether they should invest in Bangladesh,” he said while addressing a discussion titled “Bangabandhu's Development Policies and Future Bangladesh”.
Rajshahi City Corporation mayor AHM Khairuzzaman Liton chaired the discussion held at Rajshahi Nagar Bhaban's Green Plaza ground to mark the 99th birth anniversary of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.
Atiur Rahman said Bangabandhu's plans to create an inclusive economy for local and foreign businesses were hindered due to his murder. His daughter, Sheikh Hasina, later took up similar policies to ensure the country's progress.
He said the government can make it easier for businesses by reducing bureaucratic hindrances. He suggested encouraging investors who are withdrawing from China to invest in Bangladesh, since production costs in China are increasing and the China-US trade relationship is weakening.
He said the government should explore prospects to improve connectivity in the Bangladesh-Bhutan-India-Nepal (BBIN) regional network.
Before beginning the discussion, litterateur Hasan Azizul Haque and lawyer Golam Arif Tipu were accorded a reception for achieving independence and Ekushey awards.