Strong democracy, spl arrangements will woo more foreign investment in BD: UK minister
Thursday, 7 January 2010
UK Minister for Communities and Local Government John Denham Wednesday said establishing a strong democratic system as well as instrumental arrangements could attract more foreign investment in Bangladesh, reports UNB.
Addressing a pre-departure news conference at Bay's Galleria he said developing investment vehicle would make it easier for the British-Bangladeshi entrepreneurs to put money for investment in this country.
UK-Bangladesh trade was worth over 800 million pounds in 2008. Despite the global economic downturn, the bilateral trade to June this year has seen a healthy increase. Much of this is due to the British and Bangladeshi businesspersons and women.
Denham said there are opportunities to increase the level of investment by the British-Bangladeshi businesspersons.
In reply to a question, the British Minister did not comment on the current political scenario where the opposition is abstaining from parliament.
However, he mentioned that though not attending the plenary session of parliament, they are attending the meetings of parliamentary standing committees.
"We support a fully functioning democracy," the British Minister told the journalists.
Denham said the British government wanted to see a Bangladesh returning to parliamentary democracy and where in Britain had played a significant role in preparing the digital voter list ensuring free and fair elections on Dec 29, 2008.
During his 3-day visit, the senior UK Minister held series of meetings with the Prime Minister, the LGRD Minister, the Education Minister and the Foreign Minister and had interactions with community representatives in Sylhet Division.
Denham reiterated UK's commitment to assisting Bangladesh in the fields of education, climate change and democracy.
On the issue of climate change, Denham said Britain and Bangladesh worked together and wanted to achieve a legally binding agreement at the COP15 in Copenhagen. He said both the countries will be working to achieve the goal.
The UK Minister said it is important to mobilise funds from donors to support the adaptation plans prepared by Bangladesh, recognised as a most vulnerable country to the global warming.
British High Commissioner Stephen Evans was present at the press conference.
Addressing a pre-departure news conference at Bay's Galleria he said developing investment vehicle would make it easier for the British-Bangladeshi entrepreneurs to put money for investment in this country.
UK-Bangladesh trade was worth over 800 million pounds in 2008. Despite the global economic downturn, the bilateral trade to June this year has seen a healthy increase. Much of this is due to the British and Bangladeshi businesspersons and women.
Denham said there are opportunities to increase the level of investment by the British-Bangladeshi businesspersons.
In reply to a question, the British Minister did not comment on the current political scenario where the opposition is abstaining from parliament.
However, he mentioned that though not attending the plenary session of parliament, they are attending the meetings of parliamentary standing committees.
"We support a fully functioning democracy," the British Minister told the journalists.
Denham said the British government wanted to see a Bangladesh returning to parliamentary democracy and where in Britain had played a significant role in preparing the digital voter list ensuring free and fair elections on Dec 29, 2008.
During his 3-day visit, the senior UK Minister held series of meetings with the Prime Minister, the LGRD Minister, the Education Minister and the Foreign Minister and had interactions with community representatives in Sylhet Division.
Denham reiterated UK's commitment to assisting Bangladesh in the fields of education, climate change and democracy.
On the issue of climate change, Denham said Britain and Bangladesh worked together and wanted to achieve a legally binding agreement at the COP15 in Copenhagen. He said both the countries will be working to achieve the goal.
The UK Minister said it is important to mobilise funds from donors to support the adaptation plans prepared by Bangladesh, recognised as a most vulnerable country to the global warming.
British High Commissioner Stephen Evans was present at the press conference.