Ambassador Akramul calls for more US investment in Bangladesh

WASHINGTON, July 15 (BSS)- Bangladesh ambassador to USA Akramul Qader has urged the American businessmen to come up with more investment in Bangladesh to help making the country a middle incoming ones by 2021.

He said Bangladesh under the dynamic leadership of Prime
Minister Sheikh Hasina is making strong efforts to achieve that
goal which might happen through massive investment from USA and
elsewhere.

The envoy said this while addressing a luncheon discussion
with high ranking executives of US companies, organized by
Business Council for International Understanding (BCIU), a
leading US think tank, here today. The event was co-hosted by
MetLife and Trans-Fast Remittance LLC., two US-based companies
having active business presence in Bangladesh.

Highlighting Bangladesh's achievements since its
independence, Ambassador Qader briefed the US businessmen of the
government's vision. He said Bangladesh is maintaining an average
GDP growth rate of 6 percent over the last decade and has been
able to attract more than one billion US dollar of FDI.

The Ambassador also highlighted the present government's
initiative for regional connectivity with a view to linking
Bangladesh to neighboring countries. Referring to Bangladesh's
initiative for a deep sea-port in Chittagong, Ambassador Qader
commented this would turn Bangladesh into a regional hub.

Director of International Government Relations of MetLife
LLC., Diana Keegan informed that MetLife is planning to expand
its operation by offering some new products. The other co-host
Samish Kumar informed that they are in a high regulated sector in
Bangladesh for last three years and are very satisfied with their
business. He expressed satisfaction for the cooperation he
received in interactions with the government functionaries.

President and CEO of BCIU Peter J. Tichansky said Bangladesh
is being quite wrongly portrayed only as a poor country, despite
its tremendous potential. The participants, who have a firsthand
knowledge of doing business in Bangladesh, spoke very positively
and also expressed great hope for the future of Bangladesh
economy.

Meanwhile, a group of students of Johns Hopkins University
School of Advanced International Studies (SAIS) visited
Bangladesh Embassy in Washington today.

Briefing the students, Ambassador Qader said the JHU has a
historic partnership with Bangladesh since the nation's
independence in 1971. He said the globally reputed academic
institution has played an important role in preventing diarrhoeal
disease in Bangladesh by helping set up the International Centre
for Diarrhoeal Disease Research, Bangladesh (ICDDR,B) in the late
1970s.

Welcoming the students, Qader responded to them on a wide
range of issues encompassing Bangladesh's history, politics,
foreign relations as well as his experiences in Washington, DC
serving as Bangladesh's ambassador.

Dr. Brita Caminity, a Professional Lecturer of SAIS led the
students group representing different nations and professional
interests. The briefing was organized as part of the Embassy's
academic outreach programme.

Posted in: Ambassador Akramul calls for more US investment in Bangladesh