FM calls upon German to invest in Bangladesh

Bangladesh Foreign Minister Dr A K Abdul Momen on his first official visit to Germany has invited German businesses to invest in the country for a win-win scenario.

The minister highlighted the business-friendly policies and environment of Bangladesh when he addressed the German Federal Association for Economic Development and Foreign Trade (BWA) in Berlin yesterday, according to a press release.  

He called upon them to invest in infrastructure, renewable energy and manufacturing sectors in Bangladesh, according to the press release issued by the Foreign Ministry today.

Explaining about the Special Economic Zones set up by Government of Bangladesh in different places, he also urged German car manufacturers like Mercedes, BMW and Volkswagen to set up their assembly plants in the Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Shilpanagar in Chattogram.

The minister also informed them of the skilled, young labour force available at competitive wages, and assured them of complete support of the Government of Bangladesh in ensuring profitable investments by German companies. In this regard, he called upon the German companies as well as the German Government to help Bangladesh in skills development. Referring to the National Skills Development Authority (NSDA) recently formed under PMO, Momen requested for assisting Bangladesh in building a strong work force of skilled young population, explaining that it would create a win-win situation for Bangladesh and the potential German investors.

President of BGMEA Dr Rubana Huq participated at the meeting along with Foreign Minister Momen, and she invited German businesses to invest more in Bangladesh in a sustainable way that would ensure better wages, better prices, and better consumer satisfaction.

The foreign minister also addressed the 7th International Conference on Bangladesh organised by the Bangladesh Forum in Germany, where he highlighted the successes achieved and challenges faced by the Government in achieving Vision 2021 and Vision 2041. He called upon the international community to help Bangladesh in its journey forward. He also explained the Rohingya crisis to the international audience and called for more active role of the friends of Bangladesh in solving the Rohingya crisis urgently.

Momen also held a meeting with Tobias Pflueger, Member of German Federal Parliament and Chairman of the South-Asian Parliamentary Group. At the meeting held in the German Parliament, Foreign Minister highlighted the successes of Bangladesh in achieving inclusive development by ensuring eradication of poverty at fast and sustainable rate, and at the same time by addressing the related challenges so that no one is left behind. He requested the Chairman to take appropriate measures in the German Parliament to ensure fair prices for our textile products. Momen further requested for Germany’s support in building skilled workforce in Bangladesh, and suggested that having a large pool of young and skilled manpower in Bangladesh will help the potential German investors, thus creating a win-win scenario.