Amirul Islam: From Brussels, Belgium: Bangladesh Securities and Exchange Commission (BSEC) Chairman Shibli Rubaiyat-ul-Islam said that the European Union needs cooperation to transform Bangladesh into a smart Bangladesh and Bangladesh wants trade partnership and investment rather than aid and loans.
On Friday (November 03), Bangladesh Securities and Exchange Commission (BSEC) and Bangladesh Investment Development Authority (BIDA) jointly organized a summit titled ‘The Rise of Bengal Tiger: Potentials of Trade and Investment among Bangladesh and the U Countries’ in Brussels, Belgium. is
It should be noted that ‘Bangladesh Investment Summit’ is being organized continuously in different countries of the world with the aim of highlighting the capital market of Bangladesh and investment opportunities in Bangladesh to the global investors. Following this, the summit was organized in Brussels, Belgium, the main agenda of which was to present Bangladesh as an attractive, easy and profitable country for business expansion and foreign investment to the investors and businessmen of Belgium and European Union countries.
The summit started at 10:00 am local time in Brussels, Belgium. Mr. Mahbub Hasan Saleh, Honorable Ambassador of Bangladesh to Belgium gave a welcome speech at the beginning of the program. After the welcome speech, an audio-visual was shown on the economic development of Bangladesh.
Mr. Peteris Ustubos, Director of the European Commission’s Directorate-General for International Partnerships for the Middle East, Asia and the Pacific, spoke at the event.
BSEC Chairman Professor Shibli Rubaiyat-ul-Islam gave a presentation titled ’50 Years of Bangladesh: The Rise of Bengal Tiger’ on the occasion.
He praised Bangabandhu’s daughter by referring to the incredible success of getting independence from the hands of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and becoming a role model for the development of Bangladesh after just fifty years of independence under the leadership of his own privileged daughter Hon’ble Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. He highlighted the diplomatic and commercial relations and mutual cooperation between Belgium and the European Union with Bangladesh. He said that the cooperation of the European Union is necessary to transform Bangladesh into a smart Bangladesh and Bangladesh wants trade partnership and investment rather than aid and loan.
He mentioned Bangladesh’s strategically important and advantageous location in South Asia geopolitically and mentioned the potential of Bangladesh’s vibrant human resources. In recent times, the global macro and economic indicators such as high rate of GDP growth, reduction of poverty, reduction of child mortality, increase in food production, increase in women’s participation in the workplace, large domestic market, demographic dividend, skilled manpower, political stability, etc. show the increasing progress of Bangladesh’s economy. Discussed various aspects of development and possibilities. He illustrated the strong and promising position of Bangladesh’s capital market compared to neighboring countries and sought the cooperation of all concerned by mentioning the steps taken by BSEC for continuous development to make the capital market the main source of long-term financing. He also highlighted the advantageous aspects of investment in Bangladesh and urged them to choose Bangladesh for investment and become partners in the development progress of Bangladesh.
The video message of the Honorable Prime Minister of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh, Sheikh Hasina, was shown during the summit. In a video message, Hon’ble Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina thanked all those who participated in the summit jointly organized by BSEC and BIDA. He mentioned Bangladesh’s cordial bilateral relations and cooperation with Belgium and the European Union. He highlighted various aspects of economic and infrastructural development of Bangladesh in recent times. He said that in just 15 years, Bangladesh has turned from a 70 billion dollar economy to a 465 billion dollar economy and Bangladesh is on the way to become a developed-smart country with a trillion dollar economy. He said that Bangladesh has good opportunities to become a trading hub or trade center which is undergoing rapid industrialization. Besides, he called for business expansion and investment in Bangladesh’s potential and important sectors including ready-made garments, leather products, pharmaceuticals, technology, energy and agriculture, and offered investors from Belgium and European Union countries to invest in special economic zones built in Bangladesh.
A panel discussion on ‘Trade and Investment Opportunities in Bangladesh’ was held at the summit. Mr. Mahbub Hasan Saleh, Honorable Ambassador of Bangladesh to Belgium, Mr. Mokammel Hossain, Secretary of Ministry of Civil Aviation and Tourism, Vice Chairman of ‘Central Depository Bangladesh Limited (CDBL)’ AKM Nurul Fazal Bulbul, ‘Bangladesh Economic Zone Authority’ participated in the panel discussion. Executive Chairman of Beza) Mr. Sheikh Yusuf Harun. In the panel discussion, the panelists highlighted the opportunities and possibilities of business and investment in various sectors of Bangladesh.
Edwards Boomsteins, Head of Asia and Pacific Division of the European Investment Bank (EIB) spoke as guest of honor at the event. Also, Executive Chairman of Bangladesh Investment Development Authority (BIDA) Lokman Hossain Mia and Managing Director of ACI Limited and Honorary Consul of Belgium Arif Daula spoke on the occasion.
4 sessions were held in the organized summit. The sessions held are: Session-1: Advancing with textile and leather products, Session-2: Agriculture and Agro-processing, Session-3: Towards Smart Bangladesh, Session-4: Accelerating investment and trade – for the expansion of Bangladesh’s business and economy. Opportunities and possibilities and various aspects of building a developed Bangladesh were discussed.
As a result of organizing this successful summit in Brussels, Belgium, the participation of foreign and expatriate investors in the country’s capital market will increase and the experts present expressed hope that a large amount of foreign investment will come to Bangladesh.
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