Better Bangladesh Foundation in partnership with BBF Global concluded its flagship webinar, Global Entrepreneurship & Investment Summit 2020. 

The session was hosted online on Sunday, July 19th and government officials and business leaders which included, MA Mannan, MP,   our Honorable, Minister of Planning, People’s Republic of Bangladesh, Mr. Tipu Munshi, Honorable Minister of Commerce, People’s Republic of Bangladesh & Mr Md. Sirazul Islam, Executive Chairman, BIDA attended.
The session was hosted by the Chairman of Better Bangladesh Foundation, Prof. Masud A. Khan who has taken the timely initiative to begin a discussion about connecting Bangladeshi entrepreneurs with global investment opportunities. 
Apart from the top ranking government officials, numerous leaders from business associations both at home and abroad took the opportunity to express their thoughts and insights in regards to working towards a structured approach to attracting foreign investments in Bangladesh. 

“Bangladesh is no longer a basket case”, quotes Executive Chairman of BIDA, Mr. Md. Sirazul Islam highlighting the numerous initiatives taken from BIDA to encourage entrepreneurship at a grass root level and the plethora of investment opportunities available.
As Bangladesh is moving towards diversifying its export potential from RMG, the common consensus is that it will require time and commitment to attract attention in the global marketplace.
“Bangladesh is longer a destination for cheap labour” comments Mr. Shams Mahmud, President of Dhaka Chamber of Commerce & Industry. “We are capable of establishing any form of industry and compete in those categories with other regional players.” 

“There are large opportunities in the industrial supply chain due to the COVID pandemic” says Ashif Jahan, Lead Consultant at PanelXP Limited. “We look forward to working with American multinational organizations in partnership with Better Bangladesh Foundation and government agencies to consider Bangladesh as one of their manufacturing partners for industrial & construction materials, with the right PR and branding effort.”

Bangladesh hosts both a vibrant work force & a growing base of entrepreneurs in a diverse range of industries. While there are challenges in all aspects but unfortunately the global media focuses on only the negative as of late and not on the positive ones, as noted by FBCCI Vice President Siddiqur Rahman.

“I am greatly awed and inspired by the positive attitude of the Bangladesh NBR community”, said Mr. Tipu Munshi, Honorable Minister of Commerce, People’s Republic of Bangladesh. “Bangladeshis living abroad are the brand ambassadors of the country, and if they want to contribute with foreign direct investment into the country, my ministry will co-operate and work 24*7 if required.”

Better Bangladesh Foundation aspires to work closely with local and international media partners, business associations & government agencies to bring about a positive, and much needed, transformation in the global perception of our country.      

MA Mannan, MP,  our Honorable, Minister of Planning, People’s Republic of Bangladesh, also commented that we need to take an action oriented approach to ensure proper  outcomes which can be measured and analyzed.  

In addition, Dr. Atiur Rahman, Former Governor of Bangladesh Bank also emphasized the need to highlight Bangladesh’s exponential growth in the last decade in the global arena acknowledging the contribution of our farmers in ensuring the country’s food security. 

The Summit was very successful in presence of US-Bangladesh Global Chamber of Commerce Chairperson Aziz Ahmad, BBF Global USA Chief Coordinator Mr. Rafiq Khan, BBF Global USA Advisor Sazzad Rashid, BBF Global USA Coordinator Deloar Khan, BBF USA Mr. Ashif Jahan, BBF USA Coordinator Arifur Rahman, BBF Italy Chief Coordinator Zakaria Kazi, BBF Malaysia Chief Coordinator Mahbub Alam Shah, BBF Germany Chief Coordinator Abbas Chowdhury, BBF Qatar Chief Coordinator Ashraf Azad, BBF UK Chief Coordinator Councilor, Moin Quadri Rotary Former DG, Safina Rahman & Rtn. Parvin Sultana joined in the lively discussion on this important SUMMIT.

All distinguished speakers focused on how to attract foreign investment in Bangladesh and the necessary initiative must be taken by Government to involve NRBs through Better Bangladesh Foundation (BBF) network all over the globe.

The event concluded with the Chairman of Better Bangladesh Foundation, Prof. Masud A. Khan thanking its partners & well wishers - BBF Global, Chittagong Stock Exchange & PanelXP for their respective contributions.