BD to seek more Indian investment, power import

FE Report
Bangladesh will seek more Indian investment during Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's Dhaka visit from today (Saturday) that is expected to provide an update on the entire gamut of bilateral relations.
Bangladesh Prime Minister's foreign affairs adviser Dr Gowher Rizvi gave such a preview Friday about what are going to transpire in talks between Dhaka and New Delhi.
"We want more Indian investment along with China and Japan. The more investment will help gear up industrial productivity, generate employment and increase export and thus reduce the trade gap with India," he said.
Dr Rizvi was speaking as the chief guest at a seminar on 'India-Bangladesh Relations: Regional Prosperity and Amity' organised by Rastrabiggan Samity (RS) at the Senate Bhaban of Dhaka University.   
The seminar preceded the Indian prime minister's visit to Bangladesh hot on the heels of the Indian parliament's ratification of the long-pending Land Boundary Agreement between the two countries.

President of RS Prof Gyasuddin Molla of DU presided over the meet. Information Affairs Adviser to Prime Minister Iqbal Sobhan Chowdhury and Vice-chancellor of DU Prof AAMS Arefin Siddique were present as special guests.
Former Bangladesh ambassador to United Nations (UN) Barrister Harun ur Rashid presented the keynote paper of the seminar. Governor of Bangladesh Bank (BB) Dr Atiur Rahman was the main discussant.
Executive Member of RS Monira Akter delivered the address of welcome while office secretary of the organisation Md Monirul Islam moderated the seminar and social welfare secretary of RS Dr Jesmin Ara offered the vote of thanks.
Mr Rizvi said apart from trade and investment, the two prime ministers would also discuss other issues such as import of power, the sharing of Teesta water, regional connectivity, border killings and coastal shipping.
"We will discuss with India import of around 4,000 megawatts (MWs) of power. Import of 100 MWs from Tripura (north-eastern Indian sate) will start next December," he told his audience.
Indian investment in Bangladesh has gradually increased over the last few years. The Indian investment was US$ 25.74 million (2.574 crore) in 2011 while $ 28.43 million in 2012, $ 45.01 million in 2013 and $ 67.82 million last year, according to BB data.
BB Governor Dr Atiur Rahman said Bangladesh is now a fertile base for massive foreign direct investment (FDI). And India could invest here that will strengthen and deepen the bilateral ties.   
"Indian authorities can encourage their businesses to utilise Bangladesh as low-cost manufacturing base to produce goods for local, Indian and external markets, taking into account favoured market access for exports from Bangladesh," he said.
Barrister Harun suggested more export of Bangladeshi products for fulfilling the demand for thriving middle-class families in India that will help in narrowing the trade gap with India.
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