CA Yunus seeks more Swedish investment

Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus has urged Sweden to increase its investment in Bangladesh, highlighting his government's efforts to improve the business environment through vital reforms.

Prof Yunus made the appeal during a meeting with Swedish Ambassador Nicolas Weeks yesterday, when the latter called on the chief adviser at his Tejgaon office in Dhaka.

"We encourage more Swedish investment in Bangladesh," Yunus said, adding that his government has curbed corruption, made investment in export processing zones easier, and moved to ratify International Labour Organization (ILO) conventions on labour laws, said a press release issued by the CA's press wing.

Ambassador Weeks said his government supports the Yunus-led interim government and its move to reform the police, judiciary, election commission and civil administration.

"Let me assure you that you have our full support in this transition," Weeks said.

During the meeting, they also discussed aspects of the July-August revolution, the government's reform initiatives, Swedish investment in Bangladesh, and women's role in the mass uprising.

Professor Yunus said his government is determined to carry out reforms before holding elections, further mentioning that the key word of the revolution was reform.

The chief adviser said the situation in the country has stabilised, although some challenges remain including managing high expectations from various groups in the society. 

"Managing expectations is a big task. We are trying, but we are very careful," he said.

Lamiya Morshed, senior secretary and principal coordinator of the SDG Affairs, and Shahnaz Gazi, director general of the foreign ministry, were also present during the meeting.