Commerce Minister GM Quader on Sunday said the foreign investment in the country will not be affected for any unwelcoming political environment as all political parties are sincere to protect it for the sake of the economy. “People are apprehensive about political stability. But I can guarantee (to protect investment)… we always try to protect foreign investment and each government wants that,” he told a seminar at the city’s Sonargaon Hotel. Bangladesh Foreign Trade Institute (BFTI), Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) and Canadian High Commission in Dhaka jointly arranged the seminar.
Canadian High Commissioner in Dhaka Heather Cruden, Commerce Secretary Mahbub Ahmed, International Chamber of Commerce, Bangladesh ((ICC-B) President Mahbubur Rahman, BGMEA President M Atiqul Islam and Chief Executive Officer of the BFIT Dr M Mozibur Rahman took part in the discussion. The Commerce Minister observed that there had been political disturbances over the last six months followed by so many strikes. “Somehow, we could manage it and Bangladesh will be moving forward despite all these hurdles.”
GM Quader said this (Bangladesh) is a ground for good investment and changes in the government will not have any impact on foreign investment. He said Bangladesh export saw a record growth in the first month of the current fiscal (July) despite political disturbances. “We delivered the products mostly in time. We could do it.”
Referring to changes in the General Preferential Tariff (GPT), GM Quader said Bangladesh will not be affected because of the changes. Earlier, the Canadian High Commissioner said the GTP would be modernised but Bangladesh is unaffected with these changes since it is eligible for duty-free access under the least developed country tariff. “Nothing changes for Bangladesh.”
On the proposed economic partnership agreement between Bangladesh and Canada, GM Quader said, “We’ll consider it.” He said still Bangladesh has very big potential to expand its trade with its partners as most of products are going only to four major destinations – the USA, the European Union, Canada and Japan. – UNB
