FBCCI clarifies

The Federation of Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FBCCI) has clarified its position regarding a report, published in the 30th September 2017 issue of the Financial Express (FE) under the headline 'FBCCI set to finalise sectors for Japanese investments'.

FBCCI President Md Shafiul Islam (Mohiuddin), in a statement issued on Thursday, said: "The reporter talked to FBCCI First Vice President Sheikh Fazle Fahim before publishing the report, but the news came differently."

The statement said during a state visit of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to Japan in 2016, an MoU was signed between the FBCCI and JETRO (Japan External Trade Organisation).

Later, a follow-up meeting was held at the FBCCI among the officials of the Prime Minister's Office, Japanese Embassy, JETRO and the FBCCI to evaluate its progress, challenges and opportunities, it mentioned.

Another meeting in this regard was also held last month in Singapore, and the FBCCI is engaged in this matter with an optimistic outlook. Nothing has been finalised yet on the prospective sectors of Japanese investment in Bangladesh, the FBCCI said.

"While talking to your reporter FBCCI First Vice President did not mention that the FBCCI was finalising the prospective sectors for Japanese investment in Bangladesh within few weeks," it added.