In a bid to bolster economic ties between the United Kingdom and Bangladesh, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has made a groundbreaking offer to British investors, inviting them to establish a special economic zone in Bangladesh. This move underscores the pivotal role of foreign direct investment (FDI) in driving Bangladesh’s economic growth trajectory and aims to forge stronger bilateral relations between the two nations.

The proposition emerged during a meeting between Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and a high-level British cross-party parliamentary delegation led by Virendra Sharma, MP, Vice Chair of the All Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) on Bangladesh and Chair of APPG on Indo-British. Held at the Ganabhaban residence, the meeting highlighted the strategic significance of FDI for Bangladesh’s development agenda.

During the discussions, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina emphasized Bangladesh’s commitment to facilitating FDI, citing initiatives such as the establishment of 100 economic zones, high-tech parks, and incubation centers. She underscored Bangladesh’s geographical advantage as a gateway to lucrative markets in South East Asia and South Asia, positioning the country as an attractive investment destination. Furthermore, she outlined ongoing efforts to streamline investment procedures to enhance the ease of doing business for foreign investors.

The British parliamentary delegation, comprising prominent figures from the UK’s political landscape, expressed unwavering support for Bangladesh’s socioeconomic progress and pledged to collaborate closely with the Bangladeshi government to advance its development agenda. Their visit to Dhaka, scheduled to conclude on January 31, is expected to facilitate fruitful discussions and lay the groundwork for future cooperation.

Key stakeholders present at the meeting included Salman Fazlur Rahman, the Prime Minister’s Private Industry and Investment Adviser, M Ziauddin, Ambassador-at-Large, and M Salauddin, Prime Minister’s Office Secretary. Subsequent to the meeting, M Nazrul Islam, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s speechwriter, provided further insights into the deliberations during a press briefing.

In essence, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s invitation to British investors represents a significant milestone in fortifying economic collaboration between the UK and Bangladesh. It reflects Bangladesh’s proactive approach towards attracting international investments and expanding its economic horizons, laying the groundwork for mutually beneficial partnerships in the years to come.