Foreign missions should brand Bangladesh as investment destination: AmCham president

Foreign missions of Bangladesh should brand the country as an investment destination through strategic diplomacy, said American Chamber of Commerce (AmCham) President Syed Ershad Ahmed.

He made the remark during a meeting between Foreign Adviser Md Touhid Hossain and an AmCham delegation at the adviser's office in the city on Wednesday. The foreign affairs ministry's North America Wing Director General  Khandker Masudul Alam and Director Samia Israt Ronee were also present at the meeting.

During the discussion, Syed Ershad also stressed the importance of taking measures to ease business operations, particularly for existing US investors, and a transparent legal and regulatory environment for attracting potential foreign direct investment (FDI), reads a press release.

The delegation also talked about visa processing facilitation across several countries, highlighting its significance in supporting international business operations.

Foreign Adviser Touhid expressed his commitment to these matters, assuring the delegation that these issues are under active consideration. He also encouraged ongoing collaboration for necessary support.

The AmCham team reiterated their commitment to fostering strong relationships with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and promoting favourable policies that promote trade and investment in Bangladesh.

AmCham president also handed over "AmCham Recommendations: The Way Forward" and a couple of AmCham research reports related to Bangladesh trade and business.

Talking to The Business Standard, Syed Ershad, who is the country manager and managing director of Expeditors (Bangladesh) Ltd, said Washington's engagement with Dhaka will increase in the coming days as Bangladesh is likely to see increased USA investment in the coming days with a better environment.

Other notable attendees present at the meeting included Rubaba Dowla, country managing director for Oracle Corporation in Bangladesh, Nepal, and Bhutan; Ala Uddin Ahmad, CEO of MetLife; Habib Bhuiyan, country manager of Excelerate Energy Bangladesh Ltd; Kabir Ahmed, chairman of Conveyor Logistics Limited and president of Bangladesh Freight Forwarders Association (BAFFA);  Momshad Ali Khan, director of Coca-Cola Bangladesh Ltd; and Chowdhury Kaiser Mohammad Riyadh, secretary at AmCham Bangladesh.