Planning Minister M.A. Mannan on Monday said the government is more focused to implement the ADP in an efficient manner. Minister urged the business community to work with the government hand in hand. Minister made the comments while exchanging views with a A delegation of Dhaka Chamber of Commerce & Industry (DCCI) as the members of the Board of Directors, led by DCCI President, Shams Mahmud, called on Planning Minister at the Planning Ministry.
Minister said, the government has already enhanced the capacity of Mongla Sea Port so that the business community can use the port efficiently. In order to popularize PPP model he invited the private sector entrepreneurs to invest in large infrastructure projects under PPP model. Minister said, recently Bangla Bond has been floated in the London Stock Exchange which is encouraging to mitigate for long term financing gap opening up opportunities both for the local and foreign investors.
He opined that Bond can help large infra projects to get its adequate funding as an alternative source of traditional banking sector. During the discussion Shams Mahmud, President, DCCI said as per the Global Infrastructure Hub report, Bangladesh needs to invest USD608 billion till 2040 in water, energy, telecom, port, airport, rail and road infrastructure.
"Bangladesh needs alternative funding sources to secure infrastructure development and reduce dependence on public fund, development partners and banking sector", he added.
DCCI President said development of bond market can be a sustainable solution for infrastructure development and reducing long-term financing need. LNG is the short-term solution for the energy need. For long-term energy security and fuel accelerated economic growth, he urged for diverse fuel mix and local coal exploration to ensure next 50 years' need.
Mr. Mahmud said development of Payra sea-port will create second maritime lifeline of Bangladesh connecting sub-regional economies and will reduce maritime transportation cost. Moreover, modernization and capacity building of land ports will ease trade with regional economies.
He also requested to include investment for skill development, blue economy, investment in innovation and research for climate change, sustainable urbanization, 4IR technology adoption and investment and financing sources for large infrastructure development in the 8th Five Year Plan. He also said market driven national skills mapping and development scheme needs to be designed to keep pace with the 4th Industrial Revolution.
DCCI Senior Vice President N.K.A. Mobin, FCA, FCS, Vice President Mohammad Bashiruddin, Directors Waqar Ahmad Choudhury, Arman Haque, Alhaj Deen Mohammad, Enamul Haque Patwary, Engr. Md. Al Amin, Md. Shahid Hossain, Md. Zia Uddin, Monowar Hossain, Nuher L. Khan and SM Zillur Rahman were also present during the meeting.
