DHAKA: State Minister for Foreign Affairs Muhammad Shahriar Alam has urged the Polish entrepreneurs to invest in Bangladesh’s potential sectors like shipbuilding, pharmaceuticals, leather and footwear and agro-processing.
“Bangladesh could be a lucrative destination for the Polish businesses in many priority areas like shipbuilding, pharmaceuticals, leather and footwear and agro-processing,” he said, pointing out the country’s competitive and skilled labour force and congenial business environment.
He came up with the remarks during bilateral talks in the Polish capital of Warsaw, according to a source.
The State Minister had bilateral talks with Joanna Wronecka, Polish Deputy Minister (Undersecretary of State) for Development Cooperation, Africa and Middle-East, Asia and Pacific, Economic Diplomacy and Human Rights, at the Polish Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Shahriar said many European countries are showing keen interest to invest and do business in Bangladesh, which is an increasingly geo-strategic regional economic and logistics hub.
Bangladesh and Poland have many similarities in a variety of fields, he viewed.
Describing the recent progress of Bangladesh economy, he noted that Bangladesh is one of the fastest growing economies of the world with a strong domestic market of 160 million people.
Shahriar highlighted that Bangladesh established its resident mission in Warsaw in 2015, taking note of the potentials of further growth in bilateral relations.
He further stressed the opening of resident Polish Mission in Dhaka soon to tap the opportunities of deepening and widening bilateral relations on economic, trade and investment, education, agriculture, knowledge and innovation in the coming days.
The State Minister also called for easing visas for Bangladeshi students who are interested to avail study opportunities at the world class Polish universities.
The Polish Deputy Minister assured that they would take necessary steps to facilitate visas for the Bangladeshi students.
She emphasised regular dialogue at the senior official and political levels to further strengthen the bilateral ties.
She also sought Bangladesh’s support for Polish candidatures in different international bodies.
In response, the Bangladesh State Minister laid stress on institutionalising the regular political consultations through signing of Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) that Bangladesh has done with many other countries.
He further assured that Bangladesh would give due consideration to Polish candidatures.
Earlier, the Bangladesh State Minister along with a 10-member Bangladesh business delegation held talks with Polish Deputy Minister (Undersecretary of State) for Economic Development Tadeusez Koscinski at the Ministry of Economic Development of Poland.
The Polish Deputy Minister briefed the Bangladesh State Minister about the ongoing economic reform agenda which hinges on five pillars: re-industrialisation, knowledge and innovation, capital market development, export and infrastructure for inclusive growth.
He expressed keen interest to work together with Bangladesh to identify mutually beneficial economic opportunities.
In the afternoon, the State Minister attended a business seminar at the Polish National Chamber of Commerce, where business delegations of the two countries exchanged views and held B2B meetings to explore areas for mutually-beneficial trade and investment opportunities.
