“We give priority to private sector. Prime Minister (Sheikh Hasina) is committed and she believes that private sector will come forward in a bigger way and there will be a boom from the private sector. And it will happen,” he said.

Minister Kamal was addressing as the chief guest at a business networking luncheon hosted by Bangladesh-German Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BGCCI) in a city hotel. 

BGCCI President Barrister Omar Sadat opened the meeting. Bangladesh Investment Development Authority (BIDA) Executive Chairman Kazi M Aminul Islam and President and Group Managing Director of CEMS Global Meherun Nesa, among others, spoke.

The theme of the event was ‘Emerging Bangladesh: Business Friendly Policies and Plans’.

The Planning Minister assured of addressing problems to boost both domestic and Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) in Bangladesh. “We’re aware of the problems. We’re giving our efforts to resolve those problems.” 

“Be more serious. We need more investment. We want investment from Germany, too. Our FDI flow is low. That should be increased,” he said.  

The Planning Minister laid emphasis on diversifying the export baskets and mentioned some areas like leather, pharmaceuticals, plastic and furniture so that overall export can be increased not only depending on readymade garments. 

Talking about energy crisis, he said enable energy, specially solar energy can be the best alternative as oil and gas are decreasing globally. 

BIDA Executive Chairman gave credit to private sector for the achievement Bangladesh made in many areas. “Private sector has to take the lead and public sector will support with required policies.” 

Kazi Aminul said the private sector has lot of issues but it is true that things have changed compared to disappointing scenario in the past. “We’ve to do lot of work. We need right policy. We’re trying to resolve the problems (faced by businesspeople).”

He also laid emphasis on product diversification and focus one at least five more areas to boost export volume.

BGCCI President Omar Sadat sought special economic zone for German investors in the country like India and China are getting here.

He pointed out a number of problems – infrastructure gap, land acquisition, inefficient bureaucracy and lack of skilled workforce and sought initiatives to address the problems.