United News of Bangladesh

State Minister for Textiles and Jute Shariful Alam on Tuesday said the government will not engage in business itself but will extend all-out support to entrepreneurs by creating a business-friendly environment. “The government will remove obstacles for businesspeople  and ensure a supportive climate for investment and growth. Under the leadership of Prime Minister Tarique Rahman, we have already started working toward that goal,” he said. The state minister made the remarks while speaking at a view- exchange meeting after visiting Ghorashal unit of Amin Mohammad Chemicals Limited in Palash upazila. Highlighting the government’s priorities, the state minister said the main objectives are to reduce unemployment, generate employment opportunities and accelerate economic activities. “The government stands by businesspeople and will continue to do so.” he added. Earlier in the day, after visiting the closed Co-operative Jute Mill in Palash, Shariful told reporters that the government is working to reopen shuttered jute mills across the country in line with its election pledges. He said efforts are underway to revive the mills through both public and private management, aiming to attract local and foreign investors to boost employment. “Once these factories reopen, local people will be given priority in jobs,” he added. The state minister also said there were allegations of irregularities and looting in the name of leasing out jute mills during the previous government’ tenure. “We are looking into the matter, and action will be taken if any wrongdoing is found,” he said. Additional Secretary Subrata Shikdar, Joint Secretary Hafsa Begum, Chairman of Bangladesh Jute Mills Corporation Kabir Uddin Shikdar, among others, were present. Later, the state minister also visited Bangladesh Jute Mill located in Ghorashal under Palash upazila.

All foreign investors and business people working in Bangladesh should get equal treatment under the country’s Covid-19 vaccination program, South Korean Ambassador in Dhaka Lee Jang-keun said on Wednesday. Ambassador Lee said this will be in line with the government’s policy to promote business-friendly environment. Read: Korea to provide $700 mn of EDCF loan to Bangladesh He hoped that all foreign investors will be eligible for vaccinations as soon as the vaccine supply becomes normal in Bangladesh. Speaking at a virtual discussion, the ambassador pointed out that despite the growth of overall trade volume, bilateral trade between Dhaka and Seoul has remained static at $1.7 billion for the past decade. In order to realize the full bilateral commercial potentials he called for fostering a business-friendly environment, including addressing the challenges in tax and tariff policy, repatriation of profit, and streamlining administrative procedures. The Embassy of Bangladesh in Seoul hosted the virtual discussion on “Bangladesh and ROK: Trade and Investment Opportunities”. Read:S Korea pledges $200mn to provide vaccines in lower-income countries