Bangladesh’s foreign policy is now more focused on trade rather than politics, says Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.
Addressing the inauguration of the ‘Bangladesh Leather Footwear and Leather Goods International Sourcing Show 2018’ in Dhaka on Thursday, she said, “Our diplomatic efforts now emphasises on trade not politics.
The chiefs of Bangladesh missions across the world have been instructed to explore new markets, identify the demand and attract investment to Bangladesh, said the prime minister.
If elected again her government would set up modern tanneries in Chattogram and Rajshahi as well as an exclusive leather industrial zone with all modern facilities, said Hasina.
The government has already asked the concerned officials to find out a suitable place for the industrial zone, she said adding that the leather industrial zone and the tanneries would be constructed if the Awami League assumes office again.
The prime minister asked the authorities of the newly established Special Economic Zones (SEZs) to keep an area in every zone particularly for leather industries.
Hasina said Bangladesh has immense scope to flourish its leather industry abroad as the country is already producing leather goods for many globally reputed brands.
We want more foreign brands to come here with investment. It will help them getting manpower at a low cost, and us to create jobs.”
Urging the country’s business community to judge the activities of her government over the last 10 years, the prime minister said, “I’m leaving upon you to judge what we have done for expansion of trade and business, export, employment and resolving the problems of businesses.”
The prime minister said that the government has created scope so that investors can do businesses.
“We work to create opportunities for entrepreneurs through exploring market abroad as well as enhancing the purchase capacity of the local people through improving the economy,” she said.
The government is making its continued stride to have quota free excess of Bangladeshi goods to potential global markets, said Hasina.