FBCCI President Md Jasim Uddin emphasised the need for strengthening the trade ties between Bangladesh and the United States (US), and sought expatriate Bangladeshis’ help in this regard.
He made this view at the Annual Business Summit organised by the American- Bangladeshi Business Alliance in New York on Friday last.
In his keynote address, he stressed the need for boosting trade ties between the two countries to further strengthen trade and economic relations between the two countries.
The FBCCI President said, "This year is being celebrated as a landmark year for us on the occasion of the birth centenary of the Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and the 50th anniversary of our independence."
Under the visionary leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, Bangladesh has achieved all the goals of the CDP LDC Graduation, for which we are very proud of. Bangladesh is now rapidly advancing in realising the new hopes of the new world through digitalisation, industrialisation, tourism and infrastructural development.
Referring to the GDP growth of 8.15 per cent in FY 2018-19, the FBCCI President said, Bangladesh is currently one of the fastest growing economies in the world. Even during the Corona pandemic, in FY 2020-21, we achieved 5.47% GDP growth, which is higher than other countries in South Asia. Bangladesh's achievements in socio-economic progress and sustainable development are also significant.
The FBCCI President said the prime minister's timely decision to address Corona has enabled the country's export, CMSME, agriculture and other sectors to be included in the financial incentive package and refinancing scheme worth over Tk one lac 87 thousand crore. With the establishment of 100 special economic zones, a balanced and maximum utilisation of the country's internal resources will be possible in a short period of time. The door to massive employment will be opened. As a result, with all the development plans of the government, there is a huge potential for investment in the industrial sector as well as in the SME sector.
The Karnafuli Underwater Tunnel will create a bridge between Chittagong and Cox's Bazar and bring huge potential for investment in the tourism sector including increasing the efficiency of Chittagong Port, expanding industry, increasing imports and exports.
With the implementation of third terminal of Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport, both the annual passenger and cargo capacity will increase. As a result, Bangladesh will be an attractive investment destination for investors, both domestic and international.
He said, the United States has always been an important friend of Bangladesh and one of the partners in the development of multifaceted interests. They contribute to achieving the goals of our economy, sustainable development, climate change, food security and health and education development.
The FBCCI president expressed his interest in launching a platform for meetings, seminars and trade fairs and business networking between the entrepreneurs of the two countries.
He said remittances are playing a significant role in every sector of Bangladesh economy including trade, investment and construction. The amount of remittances in the fiscal year 2020-21 stood at 24.77 billion US dollars.
Mostafa Azad Chowdhury Babu, Senior Vice President, FBCCI at the Annual Business Summit, said that expatriate Bangladeshis are making significant contribution to the national economy by working hard and sending remittances to the country.
BGMEA President Faruk Hasan and FBCCI Director Amjad Hossain, among others, spoke at the Summit. The event was presided over by AKM Fazlul Haque, President, American Bangladeshi Business Alliance (ABBA).
Aminul Haque Shamim, Vice President, FBCCI, Salauddin Alamgir, Vice President, FBCCI, MA Razzak Khan, Vice President, FBCCI, Md Anwar Sadat Sarkar, Director, FBCCI, Rashedul Hossain Chowdhury (Roni), Director, FBCCI, Rezaul Karim Rejnu, Director, FBCCI, Bazal, Director, FBCCI, Tabarakul Tosaddek Hossain Khan Titu, Director, FBCCI, Md Nasser, Director, FBCCI, Syed Sadat Almas Kabir, Director, FBCCI, Abul Kashem Khan Director, FBCCI were also present at the Business Summit.
