Clicky
Editorial

PM seeks increased US investments

Let no opportunity be missed to garner more foreign investments


Bangladeshpost
Published : 26 Sep 2022 08:48 PM

While addressing at a high-level policy roundtable organised by the US-Bangladesh Business Council in New York Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Thursday called upon the US investors to make investments in various sectors that included renewable energy, shipbuilding, automobile and pharmaceuticals in Bangladesh saying that Bangladesh is pleased to offer a special economic zone for them. The premier said that Bangladesh has liberal investment policy including foreign investment protection, tax holiday, remittances of royalty, unrestricted exit policy, full repatriation of dividends and capital on exit. 

Over the last 10 years, Foreign direct investment (FDI) has been playing an essential role in maintaining the tempo of the current economic development of Bangladesh. It is good to note that considering the country’s prevailing investment-friendly policies and overall development, foreign companies are showing their zeal to invest in Bangladesh. Therefore, we need to gear up efforts and devise necessary initiatives to attract more foreign investments. Following the other Asian countries which have been able to attract massive FDI, Bangladesh should devise necessary measures to develop more infrastructures, build more skilled workforce, improve connectivity and encourage high-tech for a sustainable economic growth.

Necessary steps should be taken

 to ensure better business

facilities alongside market

diversification to garner more FDI

FDI has immensely contributed to reinforcing foreign reserves, creating new job opportunities and increasing labour skills in recent times. Needless to say, all these are the consequences of the government’s earnest endeavours and various time-befitting policies to attract investors and to create a congenial atmosphere for boosting the FDI inflow. 

Experts are of the opinion that global inflation, supply chain disruptions and the Russia-Ukraine war might disrupt the growth of FDI in the country in the coming days. On top of that, soaring transport costs due to a hike in fuel oil prices, fuel and electricity shortages, and significant devaluation of the local currency taka could be a heavy drag on the FDI inflow.

It is worth mentioning that the incumbent government pursues the most liberal investment policy in South Asia which incorporates protection of FDI by law and duty-free import of raw materials. Though FDI has been increasing over the years, experts say that yet there is room for further investment in the coming days, especially in the post-corona era. Hence, necessary steps should be taken to ensure better business facilities alongside market diversification to garner more FDI. Last but not least, business-friendly environment, taxation reform and long-term policy are needed to boost FDI inflow.