Ample infrastructure plan needed for investment
Reza Mahmud:
An ample infrastructure plan is needed for investment and sustainable business environment, business leaders and experts said.
They expressed anxiety saying inadequate infrastructures of the country make businesses vulnerable while experts said local and foreign direct investment (FDI) gets alarmingly slow due to insufficient transportations and its plans.
“Inadequate infrastructures network creates untold sufferings for the businesses. We frequently fail to shipment our products in time due to the very same problem,” Mohammad Hatem, Managing Director of MB Knit Fashion Ltd, and President of the Bangladesh Knitwear Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BKMEA) told The New Nation on Thursday.
He said, adequate infrastructure is needed for more investments including FDI in the country.
The business leader urged the government for visionary strategy while taking plan on this regards.
Mohammad Hatem asked elevated express ways in Dhaka-Chittagong highway and Savar-Ashulia-Narayangonj routes.
Meanwhile, Dr. Sheik Moinuddin, Special Assistant to the Chief Adviser (Rank of State Minister), Ministry of Road Transport and Bridges, on Thursday said that the country needs a comprehensive infrastructure plan that addresses the existing assets and future needs. “We need a comprehensive infrastructure plan that addresses our existing assets and future needs,” he said.
The Special Assistant was addressing the Monthly Macroeconomic Insights (MMI) – A Post-Budget Analysis as the chief guest organized by the Centre for Macroeconomic Analysis (CMEA) of the Policy Research Institute of Bangladesh (PRI) in partnership with the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) of the Australian Government at the PRI in the capital.
Dr. Moinuddin highlighted the government’s strategic focus on infrastructure-led development and macroeconomic stability.
“Ultimately, the goal is sustainable economic development. A well-coordinated plan will allow all stakeholders to work together under a unified framework.” he added.
The event brought together eminent economists, policymakers, diplomats, and private sector leaders for an in-depth discussion on the fiscal outlook following the FY2025-26 national budget, said a PRI press release.
The session began with opening remarks from Dr. Khurshid Alam, Executive Director of PRI, who welcomed the guests and emphasized the importance of informed dialogue in shaping effective economic policies.
The event was chaired by Dr Zaidi Sattar, Chairman of PRI.
Dr. Zaidi Sattar, Chairman of PRI, and Dr. Ashikur Rahman, Principal Economist at PRI, delivered the keynote presentation.
While making the keynote presentation, Dr. Zaidi Sattar said that no bold trade policy reforms were introduced missing a critical opportunity to address the challenges of Bangladesh’s upcoming LDC graduation in November 2026 and the USTR’s reciprocal tariff demands.