The right partnerships to unlock our potential

There is no doubt that Bangladesh has made significant economic strides in the last decade, and much of that is attributable to initiatives to strengthen our bilateral relationships with other nations, and provide a favourable business climate so that foreign investors are encouraged to invest in Bangladesh.

To that end, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s statement to Japanese investors -- exhorting them to explore new avenues of investment in other export-oriented sectors within the country -- is encouraging for all parties, and shows that the government is mindful of the nation’s economic trajectory into the future.

Indeed, as climate change and environmental concerns -- together with drastic political shifts -- dictate a change in the global business climate, Bangladesh must look to capitalize; diversifying the export basket and exploring ways to utilize the potential presented by other sectors should be prioritized for all stakeholders concerned.

There has never been a better time for the nation to appeal to investors; as the PM has noted, Bangladesh is a fast-emerging, highly-competitive location for investment in terms of cost, human resources, domestic market size, access to international markets, and trade facilitation. 

With the establishment of the special economic zones within the country, together with the PM’s assurance that the government is prioritizing developing entrepreneurship and private investments, there is reason to be hopeful. 

As Bangladesh climbs the rungs of the economic ladder, there is also an ongoing yet inevitable transformation -- from an agricultural economy to a service and manufacture-centric economy -- and there is hope that this transformation will be responsible for unlocking the full potential of our economy.