Bangladesh offers most liberal investment environment: PM

Describing the environment of investment in Bangladesh the most liberal one in South Asia, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina today urged the world investors particularly those from India to invest in various sectors such as education, automotive industry and light engineering in the country.

“It is the time for global investors, particularly Indian entrepreneurs, to invest in Bangladesh in areas like education, light engineering, electronics, automotive industry, artificial Intelligence – beyond the conventional menu,” she said while addressing as the chief guest on country strategy dialogue on Bangladesh in the India Economic Summit of the World Economic Forum at Hotel Taj Palace here.

She went on saying, “Today, Bangladesh offers the most liberal investment regime in South Asia – in terms of legal protection of foreign investment, generous fiscal incentives, concession on machinery import, unrestricted exit policy, full repatriation of dividend and capital on exit, for example.”

Spelling out the government measures to attract foreign investment, the premier said, “We are establishing 100 Special Economic Zones, with one-stop service across Bangladesh. Twelve of the Zones are already functioning. Two zones are reserved for Indian investors. A number of High-Tech parks are also ready for technology and innovative enterprises.”

The premier gave the credit of massive development to societal values and people’s trust in Bangladesh and said, “Many see Bangladesh as ‘a market’ of over 30 million middle and affluent class population and a ‘development miracle.”

“For me, our strengths are the societal values and peoples’ trust in Bangladesh. Equally, peoples’ aspiration to progress and their resilience as well as their confidence in our leadership,” she continued.

As many as 800 representatives from 40 countries are taking part in the two-day summit to be ended tomorrow where the Bangladeshi Prime Minister will give speech in the closing session.