Take advantage of our investment opportunities,

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BERLIN, Oct 24 (BSS): Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina today invited the German entrepreneurs to take advantage of the investment opportunities in Bangladesh, saying the country has offered most liberal foreign direct investment (FDI) regime in South Asia. "Bangladesh allows the foreign investors for repatriation of hundred per cent of their profits and equity. . .We are eager to work in partnership with you for mutual gains and benefits as we journey to the future," she told a seminar here. Representatives of leading German companies including Macuanji GIZ, Commerce Bank, DHL, Ministry of Economic Cooperation and Development, Solar World AG, Federal Foreign Office of Germany and local parliament members attended the seminar on "Bangladesh -- Emerging Market" organised by German-Bangladesh Chamber of Commerce at Hotel Adlon. Hasina said, "Come to Bangladesh and help us build 'Sonar Bangla' (Golden Bangladesh), a land of prosperous and happy people." She highlighted the business opportunities offered in Bangladesh for foreign investors and said Bangladesh has always relied on Germany as a trusted development and trading partner. The two countries enjoy the best of relations based on shared values and convictions, she said. German Ambassador to Bangladesh Hogler Michael gave the welcome speech while President of Bangladesh-German Chamber of Commerce and Industries (BGCCI) Saiful Islam made opening remarks. Partner of McKinsey & Company Dr Achim Berg presented a case study report on readymade garments (RMG) industries while Chief Executive of PICARD Germany Thomas Picard spoke on leather industry investments in Bangladesh. Deputy chief executive officer and MD of International Economic Affairs of German Chamber Federation (DIHK) Dr Volker Treiers, and president of Federation of Bangladesh Chamber of Commerce and Industry AK Azad, and Bangladesh Ambassador in Germany Mosud Mannan, spoke, among others, on the occasion. The presentation was followed by a panel discussion in presence of Hasina and moderated by editor of the Daily Star of Bangladesh Mahfuz Anam. Touching upon Bangladesh's economic success over the years, she said, "Despite global economic downturn, the country during the present government's tenure could maintain an average 6.0 per cent gross domestic product (GDP) growth. Last year, the GDP growth was 6.7 per cent." Bangladesh's next Five-Year Plan (2011-2015) has been designed with the goal of achieving an average growth of around 8.0 per cent, she said.