Investment summit eyes enhanced trade 

Some 552 companies from 38 countries are set to participate in the Bangladesh Trade & Investment Summit 2021, which aims to attract global trade and investment. 

The week-long event is scheduled to kick off on 26 October as part of the celebration of the birth centenary of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and the Golden Jubilee of Independence of Bangladesh.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina will be present as the chief guest of the virtual inaugural ceremony of the summit, hosted by the Ministry of Commerce and Dhaka Chamber of Commerce & Industry (DCCI).

The Ministry of Commerce and DCCI jointly organised a Press Briefing regarding the event on Sunday at DCCI Auditorium, where Commerce Minister Tipu Munshi was present as the Chief Guest.

Tipu Munshi said that the summit is a remarkable example of the PPP model which will help Bangladesh showcase and take necessary measures in formulating news policies for a developed economy.

He added that in recent years Bangladesh made remarkable progress especially in electricity generation and infrastructure development which is an added advantage to attract foreign trade and investment.

The commerce minister said his ministry is relentlessly working to sign Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) and Preferential Trade Agreements (PTAs) with potential countries to tackle the challenges after the LDC graduation of Bangladesh.

Tipu Munshi hoped that Bangladesh Trade and Investment Summit 2021 will be a great platform to connect traders and investors from around the world.

The minister said that our export is mainly reliant on RMG and it is high time for us to work on other potential sectors to expand our export market and diversify our products as well.

"This summit will highlight Bangladesh's achievements and put forward our investment and trade prospects to the world," he said adding, "Bangladesh has achieved unimaginable success in every sector."

He said the country's economy now stands on a solid foundation. Bangladesh will become a developing country by graduating from LDC in 2026, following which Bangladesh will be looking to secure GSP Plus to continue to enjoy preferential access to foreign markets.

DCCI President Rizwan Rahman gave a multimedia presentation on the summit and mentioned that this week-long investment summit includes 9 sectors underscoring critical enablers and avenues of the economy, demanding massive investments especially in Infrastructure (Physical, logistics & Energy), IT/ITES & FINTECH, Leather goods, Pharmaceuticals, Automotive & Light Engineering, Plastic products, Agro & Food Processing, Jute & Textiles and FMCG (Fast-moving consumer goods) & Retail Business.

"Bangladesh Trade & Investment Summit 2021, where some 552 companies from 38 countries will participate, aims to attract global trade and investment. The participants will take part in a total of 450 business to business (B2B) match-making sessions," said Rizwan.                                                 

He also said that B2B match-making sessions will help explore new business opportunities and attract FDI in Bangladesh. Moreover, he informed that six webinars on different trade and investment-related issues will be organised, where business community representatives, experts from local & international policymakers will participate and share their insights on these issues. DCCI president added that this virtual summit will showcase Bangladesh's preparedness during the COVID-19 pandemic to investors and entrepreneurs.        

Commerce Secretary, Tapan Kanti Ghosh hoped that the export potentials of our country will be highlighted through the summit, which will help attract more investment and foreign trade.     

DCCI Senior Vice President NKA Mobin, FCS, FCA, Vice President Monowar Hossain, members of the DCCI Board of Directors and high officials from the Ministry of Commerce were present during the event.