Finance Minister Amir Khasru Mahmud Chowdhury stated that investment is the current government’s biggest priority to turn Bangladesh into a $1 trillion economy by 2034.
“The most important issue for the current government is investment — first investment, second investment and thirdly investment. Because investment will drive the country’s economy forward, create employment, and serve as the main driving force to reach our goal,” he said.
He made these remarks while serving as the chief guest at the groundbreaking ceremony of the China Economic and Industrial Zone (CEIZ) established on approximately 800 acres of land in Chattogram’s Anwara upazila.
Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed and State Minister for Land and Chittagong Hill Tracts Affairs Mir Mohammad Helal Uddin were present as special guests at the event. Speeches were delivered by Chinese Ambassador to Bangladesh Yao Wen, Bangladesh Economic Zones Authority (BEZA) Executive Chairman Ashik Chowdhury, Chittagong Chamber of Commerce and Industry President Amirul Haque, and Chattogram-13 Member of Parliament Sarwar Jamal Nizam. Wang Benqian, chairman of Bangladesh CEIZ Company Limited, delivered the welcome speech.
The finance minister said that the groundbreaking of the China Economic and Industrial Zone is not merely the initiation of industrial zone construction, but rather a reflection of the government’s far-reaching vision and commitment to attracting investment in Bangladesh.
He stated that to build an investment-friendly environment, the government is removing unnecessary restrictions and taking initiatives to ease business through deregulation. The current government has introduced this initiative in Bangladesh. He remarked that Bangladesh is now open for business 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Amir Khasru informed that the Single Window Service, which has been under discussion for a long time, will be launched promptly. Arrangements are also being ensured so that foreign investors can easily repatriate their capital and profit to their home countries.
Addressing Chinese investors, the finance minister invited them to list on Bangladesh’s capital market, saying that through this, they will be able to raise funds easily and the country’s general investors will also get the opportunity to become partners in Chinese projects. This will also reduce dependence on bank loans.
The minister said that the government is giving equal importance not only to investment but also to technology transfer and the development of skilled human resources. To this end, he called upon the Chinese ambassador to establish a skill development centre in Anwara or Chattogram. He also urged the Chinese government and investors to increase Chinese investment in strategic industries in Bangladesh alongside readymade garments, advanced technology and high-tech sectors.
He said that this project will not be limited to investments of several hundred or billions of dollars; rather, it will have a positive impact on the economy, service sector and supply chain of Chattogram and the entire region.
Expressing satisfaction upon learning that arrangements for workers’ housing have been made within the Chinese economic industrial zone, the finance minister said that for sustainable industrialisation, equal importance must also be given to improving the living standards of workers, conserving the environment, and protecting biodiversity. The Bangladesh Government is placing special importance on nature and wildlife in all types of investment and infrastructure development, including foreign investment.