BD eyes better results from CA’s Switzerland visit
Staff Rep0orter :
The interim government is expecting better results out of the ongoing visit of Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus who is currently in Switzerland to attend the meeting of the annual summit of the World Economic Forum (WEF).
During the sidelines, he has been holding a flurry of meetings with ministers and high profile individuals of different countries and drawing their attention to invest in Bangladesh.
Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus has invited the global investors to invest in Bangladesh in a bigger way as the South Asian country is ready to have enhanced trade and investment ties with improved business and investment climate.
After the formation of the interim government through a mass upsurge in July and October against the Awami League government’s ‘oppressive rule’, the Yunus-government formed in August has undertaken various initiatives including internal reform works to uplift Bangladesh to the path of democracy.
After the formation of the Interim Government, Prof Yunus received a collaborative support from different countries which expressed their commitments to assist Bangladesh for its development activities.
Now the Nobel Laureate are heading to different countries and attending international events to highlight the image of the country and at the same time urging them to invest in Bangladesh.
Chief Adviser’s Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam told the media on Thursday that the visit of Yunus would bring better results.
He said that Prof Yunus was passing very busy schedule in Davos, Switzerland and having series of engagement with heads of the government and others.
“Different stakeholders including private sector’s MDs and CEOs gather at the Davos.
A series of meetings are held on various issues including investment and assistance. In the last two days, the Chief Adviser has held at least 10 meetings with the heads of the government,” he said.
He further said, “Big companies want to invest in Bangladesh. the CEO’s of various companies would talk with Prof Yunus. They would inquire of the business opportunity in Bangladesh.”
“We have informed that Bangladesh is prepared for business. The business climate has been created now.
We have made the business facilities easier. The port capacity of Chattogram has been enhanced,” he told the journalists.
“Prof Yunus has already urged the investors of the US, German, Turkey, China to invest here. Bangladesh can be transformed into an export hub with the engagement of Bangladeshi youths. We are expecting better result,” he said.
“We have always been saying Bangladesh is ready for an enhanced business,” Chief Adviser’s Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam told the media, highlighting Dr Yunus’ extensive engagements on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum annual meeting in the Swiss city.
Alam highlighted the prevailing business and investment friendly environment with enhanced port capacities in the country which helps Bangladesh to become another exports hub.
The beauty of the World Economic Forum annual meeting is that top executives of global organisations including prominent presence of private sector leaders interact with the heads of the government and states, said the Press Secretary, focusing on the Chief Adviser’s extensive engagements here since his arrival.
Meanwhile, DP World, Group Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Sultan Ahmed bin Sulayem met Chief Adviser Dr Yunus on Thursday morning (Davos time) and discussed issues of mutual interest.
DP World is a multinational logistics company based in Dubai and the company specialises in cargo logistics, port terminal operations, maritime services and free trade zones.
Chief Adviser’s Deputy Secretary Abul Kalam Azad told the media that Sir Nick Clegg, President, Global Affairs of Meta Platforms Inc; Agnes Callamard, Secretary-General of Amnesty International and Robert Maersk Uggla, Chair of A.P. Moller – Maersk in addition to top executives of the global organisations are likely to meet the Chief Adviser on Thursday.
Thomas Eymond-Laritaz, founder & CEO of HIGHGATE (Strategic Advisory Firm), Hugh Evans, CEO, Global Citizens and Prof. Klaus Schwab, founder, World Economic Forum are also scheduled to meet the Chief Adviser.
On Wednesday, Federal Councillor and head of the Swiss Federal Department of Foreign Affairs Ignazio Cassis reaffirmed his country’s support for Bangladesh during this ‘important phase of transition.’
After the meeting, Cassis said that he was pleased to meet with Dr Yunus and reaffirmed Swiss support to Bangladesh.
Apart from meetings with different individuals, international media outlets including Reuters, Financial Times and CNBC International are likely to interview Dr Yunus where he would uphold the image of Bangladesh before the global audience.
The WEF is taking place from January 20-25 with the participation of 50 heads of state and government under the theme of “Collaboration for the Intelligent Age.”