Govt plans to set up more Special Economic Zones

 The government is keen to set up more Special Economic Zones (SEZs) in the country in a bid to attract foreign investment, said Industries Minister Dilip Barua here on Thursday.

The country will allot SEZs for boosting foreign investment from countries, including Malaysia, China, India and Germany, that will benefit both sides in the coming days, he said.

Barua was inaugurating the three-day Showcase Malaysia 2013, arranged by Bangladesh Malaysia Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BMCCI) at a city hotel.

Despite the shortfalls in the country’s electricity generation, infrastructure and political stability, Bangladesh still remains a unique place for investment, the Industries Minister told the function.

Being a country with a large population of 160 million, it provides a large market for all sorts of product, and the market is expanding fast with the increase in the purchasing capacity of people, thanks to the steady economic growth over the last few years, he observed.

Barua called on the Malaysian businesses to invest in the country’s pharmaceutical, ship-building, agro-processing and light-engineering sectors.

He also stressed joint-ventures between the businesses of the countries, and emphasised increasing exchanges in the technological know-how.

Speaking on the occasion, Malaysian High Commissioner to Bangladesh Norlin Binti Othman said there is a lot of potential for joint-investment between the countries, but, for that to happen, the businesspeople need to closely interact with each other.

The Showcase Malaysia 2013 will provide opportunities for the business communities of both the countries to come in touch and talk about extending the relations further to a fruitful outcome, she added.

About 40 Malaysian manufacturers, exporters and service providers will showcase a wide range of products, including telecommunication, banking, information technology, tourism, education and health care, during the three-day expo, said officials.

Presided over by BMCCI president Syed Nurul Islam, the inaugural programme was also addressed by Associated Chinese Chambers of Commerce and Industry of Malaysia (ACCCIM) secretary general Tan Sri Dato’ Soong Siew Hoong and Malaysia Healthcare Travel Council (MHTC) chief executive officer Mary Wong Lai Lin.

Source: UNB Connect