Foreign Minister AK Abdul Momen has urged French enterprises to investment in the country’s infrastructure, renewable energy, waste management and ICT sectors considering Bangladesh government’s various business friendly easy regulations to attract Foreign Direct Investment (FDI), reports state news agency BSS.
He said French companies can choose Bangladesh as a lucrative investment destination as currently the country is offering FDI friendly regulations, one-stop services, ease remittance profit and availability of skilled workforce at very competitive wages.
The minister made the call when addressing the Bangladesh-France Economic Forum organized by the Senate of France in Paris on Monday, according to a message received in Dhaka on Tuesday (Oct 22).
Representatives of private sector from both Bangladesh and France, as well as delegations from relevant Government organizations like Bangladesh Investment Development Authority (BIDA), Bangladesh Economic Zones Authority (BEZA), Ministry of Commerce, Bangladesh Hi-Tech Park Authority and concerned French agencies participated in the half-day long event.
Momen is now on a three-day visit in Paris as a part of his four-nation Europe tour focusing on the economic diplomacy as well as raising further international pressure on Myanmar to take back forcibly displaced Rohingyas from Bangladesh.
The minister highlighted the successes of Bangladesh in becoming a middle- income country and the roadmap to become a developed country, while ensuring that the economic and social development takes place in an inclusive manner, leaving no one behind.
Bangladesh Ambassador to France Kazi Imtiaz Hossain, Senators Jacky Deromedi and r Jerome Durain of French Senate as well as representatives of French Ministry of Europe and Foreign Ministry of France, Embassy of France in Dhaka, French Development Cooperation Agency, Business France and MEDEF International also participated in the event.
Earlier in the day, the minister held a meeting with, State Secretary of Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs of France Jean Baptiste Lemoyne, who is also in charge of French trade and investment.
During the meeting, Momen raised the issue of the Rohingya crisis, and requested France, along with other EU Members, to exert pressure on Myanmar for the early repatriation of the Rohingyas to their homeland in Rakhine State in safe, dignified and sustainable manner.
He also highlighted the achievements of Bangladesh during the last one decade, and called for French investment in Bangladesh as well.
He referred to the already successful French investments, and invited French business delegations to visit Bangladesh to assess the opportunities that Bangladesh offers to investors.
State Secretary Lemoyne expressed appreciation of the French Government for the humanitarian stance of Bangladesh in providing shelter to the Rohingyas fleeing persecution from Rakhine State of Myanmar.
He informed the Bangladesh foreign minister that he will lead a French business delegation to Bangladesh early next year.
The issue of climate change was also discussed in the bilateral meeting, and both Ministers agreed that Bangladesh and France would continue to work closely for addressing the challenges of climate change.
On arrival at the French Senate, for the Bangladesh-France Economic Forum, Foreign Minister Momen was welcomed by Senator Jacky Deromedi, President of the France-South East Asia Inter-Parliamentary Friendship Group.
Momen also held meetings with the Business France and the Agence FranOaise de Developpement (AFD) at the French Senate.
During the meetings, he requested for helping Dhaka in skill development to create a pool of young and skilled workers which in turn will provide benefit the potential French investors in Bangladesh.
The minister also joined two community receptions organized by the expatriate Bangladesh community in Paris on October 20.
In both receptions, Momen reiterated government’s commitment to ensure expatriates welfare both at home and abroad.