Federation of Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce and Industries (FBCCI) President Sheikh F Fahim has urged the investors of the Commonwealth countries to invest more in Bangladesh and take the advantage of a number of incentives offered by the government.

Fahim, who is visiting London to attend a global trade meeting, said the FBCCI was keen to stand by the investors being the country’s apex business body, which is eager to develop a stronger trade and investment relation with Commonwealth countries, said a press release.

He made the statement on Wednesday evening (London time) in a meeting of the Global Advisory Council of the Commonwealth Enterprise and Investment Council (CWEIC).

The council was established in 2014 with the support of the Commonwealth Secretariat and member governments to be the Commonwealth’s apex business organization. The FBCCI has been included as a Strategic Partner of the CWEIC as the first organization from Bangladesh.

Fahim said the investors of the Commonwealth countries should explore their business options in Bangladesh, which is one of the top emerging markets in the world. 

Fahim said the government of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina was developing 100 economic zones while offering a bunch of incentives for the foreign investors who could tap the potentials of Bangladesh as a manufacturing hub.

Fahim said the investors from countries like India, Japan and China could benefit hugely by investing in special economic zones.

As he narrated the overall development agenda of the government, Fahim said the FBCCI was actively engaged in the trade-related policy formation of the government while it also advocates for the public-private joint initiative in the development process.

The FBCCI chief said Sheikh Hasina’s Vision-2021 and Vision-2041 were launched to transform Bangladesh from an LDC to a middle income to a developed nation, and through this journey millions of people have overcome the extreme poverty level amid high hopes for steady growth over next few years. The country’s economy has grown over 6 percent over past one decade under Sheikh Hasina.  

Fahim said Standard Chartered, World Bank, Asian Development Bank, Bloomberg, HSBC, IMF, Moody’s, Standard & Poor, Fitch, Price Waterhouse Coopers, JP Morgan, Boston Consulting’s group have all acknowledged the country’s proven trajectory towards Vision 2021 and 2041.

After the meeting Fahim attended the Commonwealth High Commissioner’s banquet and he was also introduced to Her Royal Highness Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall.