Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Monday sought support of the United States (US) businessmen in Bangladesh's journey to become a developed and smart country by 2041, reports BSS.
"I call on you to remain with us as partners in our journey to a developed, prosperous, and smart Bangladesh by 2041," she said while addressing a US-Bangladesh Business Council delegation at her official Ganabhaban residence.
"We aspire to become a "Smart Nation" by 2041. Here, we need your support in increasing our global competitiveness and expanding our export base," she said.
The prime minister said Bangladesh will be graduating from a "least developed" to a "developing" country in 2026.
She said they are determined to achieve the Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib's dream as their efforts have led to Bangladesh's remarkable socio-economic growth over the last 15 years.
"Now Bangladesh is globally acknowledged as a "Role Model of Socio-Economic Development," she said.
This has also been possible due to good governance, rule of law, and stability; investment in the rural economy; empowerment of women; and ICT, which led to "Digital Bangladesh, she added.
Sheikh Hasina mentioned that the US has been a major economic and development partner for Bangladesh for decades.
Both countries have intensive engagements in many areas, particularly trade and investment, she said.
"Our shared aim is to achieve mutual benefit and prosperity for our people. This is manifested in our growing bilateral trade and people-to-people interaction," she continued.
The premier said that the US is currently the largest single-country destination of our exports, the largest source of foreign direct investment, and an important source of knowledge and technology.
She said she is optimistic that this economic engagement will be further enhanced in the coming days.
The US would become Bangladesh's long-term partner in achieving its development goals through trade, investment, and technology transfer and by creating a smooth and predictable supply chain for mutual benefits, she hoped.
"I, therefore, invite you to invest in our many vibrant and high-potential sectors, such as renewable energy, shipbuilding, automobiles, pharmaceuticals, light and heavy machinery, chemical fertilizers, ICT, marine resources, and medical equipment, among others," she said.
Sheikh Hasina also expressed her hope that the US-Bangladesh Business Council will continue to play a significant role in advancing trade and investment cooperation between the two friendly countries.
"Finally, I urge all US business leaders to explore business opportunities and invest in Bangladesh," she continued.
The prime minister said they have been establishing 100 'Special Economic Zones' (SEZs) and 28 hi-tech parks as some of these are in operation.
Particularly in the IT sector, with over a million free-lancing IT professionals, Bangladesh is the right destination for IT investments, she said.
She went on saying that the availability of a young, skilled, and vibrant workforce at a competitive wage is a huge advantage.
"Here, I remind you that Bangladesh has the most liberal investment policy status in the region. Also, be assured that we are giving top priority to improving our investment environment," she said.
Chairman of Board of Directors of US-Bangladesh Business Council Steven Kobos, President of the US-Bangladesh Business Council Ambassador Atul Keshap, among others, were present.