Bangladesh open for business: PM

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has urged Wall Street investors to invest in Bangladesh, saying his government is committed to creating a business-friendly environment and declaring that “Bangladesh is open for business.”

He made the remarks at a breakfast meeting with senior Wall Street business leaders, investors and financial institutions at JPMorgan’s headquarters in Manhattan on Friday (September 25), on the sidelines of his visit to New York for the 81st UN General Assembly.

Tarique Rahman highlighted Bangladesh’s population of more than 180 million, young workforce, expanding consumer market and strategic location, saying the country offers opportunities beyond its traditional strength in readymade garments.

He identified energy, infrastructure, logistics, technology, digital services, manufacturing, agriculture and healthcare as key areas for investment.

The prime minister said the government aims to build a $1 trillion economy by 2034 and establish Bangladesh as a globally connected hub for manufacturing, investment and services.

He said the government was working to simplify regulations, strengthen investor protection, improve tax and VAT administration, ease profit repatriation and upgrade infrastructure.

Tarique Rahman also called for deeper economic ties with the United States, Japan, South Korea, the European Union and China, and urged Wall Street institutions to build long-term businesses in Bangladesh.

He said Finance Minister Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury and Special Assistant for Investment and Capital Market Tanvir Gani would work closely with investors to address concerns and remove obstacles where possible.