Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has assured local and foreign investors of full government support for the revival of closed and loss-making state-owned factories, saying the government is committed to creating opportunities for investment and industrial growth.
“We want you to move forward and prosper. We will support you in every possible way,” the Prime Minister said while addressing a roadshow for investors at his office in Tejgaon.
The event was jointly organized by the Ministries of Industries, Textiles and Jute, and the Bangladesh Investment Development Authority (BIDA) to attract investment for the revival of non-performing and closed factories across the country.
Addressing business leaders and investors, Tarique Rahman said the primary responsibility of an elected government is to remove obstacles and create pathways for development.
“However, the government alone cannot accomplish this task. The reality is that we cannot solve all problems at once. But it is possible to address them gradually and systematically,” he said.
Referring to the lengthy discussions held during the event, the Prime Minister called for collective efforts to overcome challenges facing the industrial sector.
“There are problems and there are challenges. But we have also realized that if we all work together, we can overcome these difficulties,” he added.
During the roadshow, detailed information on 44 state-owned factories was presented to investors. The presentations included information on factory locations, existing infrastructure, transportation facilities, investment incentives and opportunities for production expansion.
Business representatives later took part in an open discussion session, where they raised nearly 50 questions regarding investment opportunities, policy support and operational issues. Relevant government officials responded to the queries.
Finance and Planning Minister Amir Khosru Mahmud Chowdhury, Commerce, Industries and Textiles and Jute Minister Khandakar Abdul Muktadir, BIDA Executive Chairman Chowdhury Ashik Mahmud Bin Harun, Bangladesh Bank Governor Md Mostaqur Rahman and Prime Minister’s Principal Secretary ABM Abdus Sattar attended the programme.
Senior officials from various ministries and divisions were also present.
Leading business groups, including PRAN-RFL, ACI Limited, Walton, Meghna Group of Industries, Runner, T.K. Group, BRAC, Nabil Group, Square Group, Transcom Group, Akij Group and Lal Teer, participated in the event.
Representatives from several Japanese companies and organizations, including Marubeni Corporation, Toyota Tsusho Corporation, Sumitomo Corporation, MUFG Bank, Mitsui & Co., Sojitz Asia, JETRO Bangladesh and the Embassy of Japan in Bangladesh, also attended the roadshow.
Officials said the initiative is part of the government’s broader effort to attract investment, generate employment and bring underutilized industrial assets back into productive use.