Many non-resident Bangladeshis (NRBs) still have very strong emotional ties with Bangladesh and are willing to be a part of the country's progress through transferring skills and experience or investment, the Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) chief said Tuesday. Faruque Hassan paid a courtesy call on Sadia Faizunnesa, consul general of the Consulate General of Bangladesh in New York, Tuesday. READ: BGMEA wants to increase RMG exports to Canada, promote positive image He requested the consul general to extend more support, services and information to potential investors to encourage them to invest in Bangladesh. Faruque sought the cooperation of the consul general in paving the way for Bangladeshis living in the US so that they can promote the interests of Bangladesh, including branding the country positively. READ: BGMEA chief invites Canadian businessmen to invest in Bangladesh They discussed different issues, especially possible areas of engagement for NRBs in national development and how more foreign investment could be brought to Bangladesh.

Terming Bangladesh a land of opportunities, Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) President Faruque Hassan has urged US businessmen and also the non-resident Bangladeshis (NRBs) living in the US to invest in the country which offers an attractive and investment-friendly environment. The BGMEA chief made the call while addressing a business roundtable held in New York recently, said a media release Thursday. The US-Bangladesh Business Council of the US Chamber of Commerce hosted the roundtable with Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and over 30 senior executives from the US and Bangladesh business communities on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA).   READ: BGMEA wants to increase RMG exports to Canada, promote positive image The event was presided over by Jay R Pryor, vice-president of business development at Chevron and the council's chair of the board of directors, and Nisha Biswal, president of US-Bangladesh Business Council and senior vice-president – South Asia, international strategy and global initiatives at the US Chamber of Commerce. Sajeeb Ahmed Wazed, ICT Affairs Adviser to the prime minister, M Shahidul Islam, Bangladesh ambassador to the US, and Md Jashim Uddin, president of the Federation of Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce and Industries, also attended the roundtable. The virtual roundtable engaged high-level Bangladesh government officials as well as major US and Bangladeshi companies across sectors and supply chains as well as major Bangladeshi business associations, including the BGMEA. READ: BGMEA chief invites Canadian businessmen to invest in Bangladesh "With our ever-increasing economy, political stability and all-out effort made by our government to build infrastructures, we are now one of the most favoured countries in South Asia for trade and investment. We have favourable fiscal and non-fiscal policies for the foreign investors," Faruque said. The BGMEA president highlighted the prospects of investment in different potential sectors, including high value-added and non-cotton textiles along with others. Also, there are huge investment opportunities in other sectors that can substitute imports and complement industries in Bangladesh like spare parts, textile machinery, light engineering, jute, leather, pharmaceuticals, ceramics and shipbuilding, he added.

Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) President Faruque Hassan has said engagement of non-resident Bangladeshis (NRBs) can play a crucial role in shaping the financial, social and economic conditions of the country. He made the remark during a meeting with Nayem Uddin Ahmed, consul general of the Bangladesh Consulate General in Toronto, recently, said the apparel industry's apex body Monday. BGMEA Director Abdullah Hil Rakib was also present at the meeting. READ: BGMEA wants to increase RMG exports to Canada, promote positive image Faruque said many NRBs are well-established businessmen, having huge investments in their countries of residence, while many hold influential positions in governments as politicians and members of parliaments. Also, a lot of Bangladeshis are renowned scientists, academicians, researchers, high government officials and holding other prestigious positions. Avenues should be created in an effective way to allow them to contribute to the development of Bangladesh, he added. He sought the cooperation of Nayem Uddin to help the NRBs living in Canada promote the interests of Bangladesh. The BGMEA president expressed thanks to the Bangladesh government for setting up a state-of-the-art office of the consulate general in Toronto as it would be helpful to showcase "Made in Bangladesh" products, including apparel items and attract potential foreign investors. READ: BGMEA chief invites Canadian businessmen to invest in Bangladesh Also, he requested the consul general to consider providing one-stop services to foreign investors from the consulate general

Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen has laid emphasis on building bridges between Bangladesh and the talented Bangladeshi young force in foreign countries, specially in the UK and engaging them for expediting development efforts in Bangladesh.