EBFCI leaders to invest in ship, jute industries in Bangladesh

Europe-Bangladesh Federation of Commerce and Industry (EBFCI) leaders today (2 October) said they want to invest in Bangladesh's jute, textiles and ship industries to strengthen the country's economy, saying that it is the high time to invest here.

The EBFCI leaders vowed to take Bangladesh forward economically by investing in jute, textile, ship and other sectors including health, education and infrastructure.

The business leaders said this at a meeting with Shipping, Textiles and Jute Adviser Brigadier General (Retd) Dr M Sakhawat Hussain at his ministry office in the Bangladesh Secretariat, said a Shipping Ministry press release.

A 26-member delegation of the EBFCI led by its President Dr Wali Tasar Uddin joined the meeting. Textiles and Jute Secretary Md Abdur Rauf and Shipping Secretary Dr AKM Matiur Rahman were present.

The EBFCI leaders welcomed the interim government under the leadership of Dr Muhammad Yunus, saying that the Chief Adviser to this government is not only a Nobel laureate but also an internationally recognized great personality.

New doors of opportunities and possibilities have opened through the formation of the new government under the leadership of Professor Dr Muhammad Yunus, the business leaders said, adding, this is the right time to invest in Bangladesh.

During the meeting, Dr Sakhawat said, "Through the student-people revolution, we got a new Bangladesh which is full of dreams and immense potentials".

This Bangladesh will be free from corruption and harassment, he said, adding, all foreign and domestic investments will be safe and risk-free in this country.

Noting that the present government is investment-friendly, the adviser said the government welcomes foreign investments in any sector.

"The government is working to create a favourable environment for investment. In the process of state reform, structural and legal reforms will be made to create an environment for easy investment," he added.

Dr Sakhawat assured EBFCI leaders of providing all-out support from his ministry if they invest in jute, textiles and ship industries.

He urged all domestic and foreign businessmen, entrepreneurs and investors, including the EBFCI, to invest in jute, textiles and ship industries in this new Bangladesh.

Referring to the misrule of Awami League government, the adviser said it is very sad to mention that the misrule of the last 15 years has destroyed the jute and textiles industry like all other sectors in the country.

Jute and textile mills were closed down for personal interests while the whole country was plagued with bribery, irregularities and corruption, he added.

Dr Sakhawat informed the business leaders that the present government has already taken an initiative to establish 'Research Centre on Jute and Textiles', saying that expatriates can provide technical and financial support to the government in this regard.

Noting that the government has taken different steps to bring back the lost glory of jute, he said the use of polythene has been banned in all super shops across the country from Tuesday (1 October).

The government emphasised using jute bags instead of polythene, the adviser said, adding, the government is working to bring the lost glory of jute back by creating a domestic market for jute.