FDI significant for developed country status by 2041: FM

Foreign direct investment (FDI) will play a significant role in Bangladesh achieving the developed country status by 2041.
Even during the ongoing pandemic, Bangladesh successfully maintained a 5.24% GDP growth rate, thanks to government policy, Foreign Minister AK Abdul Momen told a webinar organised by the foreign ministry on Thursday.
Recalling the role of Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman in building an independent Bangladesh, Momen said, "Under the leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, Bangladesh is working hard to achieve the developed country status by 2041, and foreign investment is not only expected but is also going to play a significant role in reaching the goal."
At the event, Momen said, "The present government is giving utmost importance to economic diplomacy with an aim to attract foreign investors to invest in the 100 new economic zones of Bangladesh."
Highlighting the progress of Bangladesh in various economic and social indicators, the minister said, "The FDI has played an important role in accelerating industrialisation, creating employment, increasing exports and acquiring higher skills and knowledge which ultimately helped progress in those indicators."
The webinar, titled "Increasing FDI in the Economic Zones of Bangladesh: Role of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs," was organised to identify the role of the foreign ministry in enhancement of FDI in the post Covid-19 global situation, according to a press release.
Bangladesh Economic Zones Authority Executive Chairman Paban Chowdhury presented the keynote at the webinar chaired and conducted by Foreign Secretary Masud Bin Momen.
Speakers at the programme discussed the various steps that need to be taken to increase FDI in Bangladesh. 
In his speech, Masud Bin Momen said under the leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, Bangladesh has achieved incredible economic success in the last one decade. 
Focusing on rapid and sustainable industrialisation, he said 100 special economic zones have been established across the country for planned industrialisation and to attract foreign investors.
He hopes that the economic zones will give new impetus to the country's growth, providing proper infrastructure, necessary services and timely policies. 
He called upon all government and non-government organisations to work together to bring in more foreign investment.
At the webinar, BEZA chief Paban Chowdhury highlighted the various steps taken by the government to establish economic zones in Bangladesh and delivered a presentation on the established economic zones.