Dhaka: Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Wednesday sought Norwegian investment in Bangladesh’s various sectors, particularly the special economic zones.

The Prime Minister came up with the request when newly appointed Norwegian Ambassador to Bangladesh Sidsel Bleken made a courtesy call on her at her office.

After the meeting, Prime Minister’s Press Secretary Ihsanul Karim briefed reporters.

Referring to government steps to establish special economic zones in the country, Sheikh Hasina said the initiative has been taken for both domestic and foreign investors. Bangladesh can export more goods and products like fish, leather goods, pharmaceuticals and other products from there, she added.

About climate change, the Prime Minister said it is a major issue, and Bangladesh is hopeful about reducing global warming after the Paris conference in which agreement was signed by the countries to this end.

She mentioned government’s afforestation programme undertaken to create green belt and neutralise the adverse impacts of climate change.

Besides, the government has launched various mitigation programmes with the country’s own funds to face the challenges of climate change, she added.

Hasina said the government has laid emphasis on timely implementation of Sustainable Development Programme (SDGs) set by the UN.

Raising the issue of water resources in the country, the Prime Minister said her government made it mandatory to keep water bodies in various establishments being set up under private sector initiatives in the economic zones.

She assured the new Norwegian envoy of providing all-out cooperation during her tenure in Bangladesh.

At the meeting, the Norwegian Ambassador termed Bangladesh a growing economy, underscored the need for enhancing business cooperation between Bangladesh and Norway for mutual benefits.

She mentioned that the exports of Bangladeshi products to Norway has been increased by 60 per cent during 3012- 21015.

Sidsel Bleken said Norway also wants to invest in the energy sector of Bangladesh while she stressed working together to neutralise the adverse impacts of climate change.

Highly praising Bangladesh’s success on achieving the MDGs, she said, the country is also making encouraging progress in terms of achieving the SDGs.

Expressing happiness over the existing friendly relation between the two countries, the Norwegian envoy said she would be working to further consolidate the bilateral ties.