PM asks missions abroad to help attract investment

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Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina Sunday directed Bangladesh missions abroad to take effective measures for enhancing exports and attracting foreign investment, reports BSS.
The Prime Minister gave the directive while presiding over the 24th meeting of the Board of Investment (BoI), the first under the present government, at her office in the city.
Prime Minister's Press Secretary Abul Kalam Azad briefed newsmen after the meeting that discussed a wide range of trade and business issues including the minutes of the 23rd BoI board meeting and investment and industrialisation situation of 2008-'09 fiscal.
Besides, the meeting was apprised of the future work plans of the BoI, its organisational structure, progress of implementation of the decisions taken at the previous board meeting and construction of the board's own building.
The Prime Minister said her previous government (1996-2001) took a number of initiatives for the expansion of trade and business in the country.
She said now the BoI had to start a fresh journey with the aim of bringing momentum to investment after examining those measures taken by the previous Awami League government.
Referring to huge numbers of expatriate Bangladeshis around the world, Hasina asked the BoI to encourage them by offering excellent incentive package and other facilities to invest more in their homeland.
"They (expatriate Bangladeshis) have financial capabilities and they are interested in investing in Bangladesh. If they get incentives, they will come forward to invest in Bangladesh," she added.
The Prime Minister also advised them to set up educational institutions in Bangladeshi residential areas in different countries by utilising the labour welfare fund of the Bangladesh missions.
The meeting was informed that local investment had increased significantly in the country during the last couple of months.
Finance Minister AMA Muhith told the meeting that a two-day International Investment Conference would be held in Bangladesh on October 21-22 next.