DHAKA, July 11, 2018 (BSS) – Chief executives and representatives of
different business entities, ministries and development agencies of France
have applauded the impressive growth of Bangladesh and expressed their
interest to be part of Bangladesh’s development journey.
They came up with the eagerness at a discussion titled, ‘Bangladesh-
France Trade and Investment Relations: Prospects and Potentials’ held at
MEDEF international headquarters in Paris on Tuesday, according to a press
release received here today.
Bangladesh Embassy in France, in collaboration with MEDEF International,
a leading network of French business enterprises, arranged the discussion.
MEDEF International director Geraldine Lemble presided over the meeting
while Bangladesh Ambassador to France Kazi Imtiaz Hossain presented a keynote
paper.
Chief executives and representatives from 14 companies of France and
representatives from French Ministry of Europe and Foreign Affairs, France
Development Agency (AFD) and French Foreign Trade Advisors Business, took
part in the discussion.
In her opening remarks, Geraldine Lemble said it may be mentioned that
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina attended a business meeting with members of
MEDEF International during her visit to France in December 2017.
She said French business enterprises are closely following the impressive
growth and social progress of Bangladesh with great interest and like to
engage more deeply in the economic development of Bangladesh.
Reading out his keynote paper, Kazi Imtiaz Hossain highlighted the steady
socioeconomic progress of Bangladesh, particularly in areas of power
generation, physical infrastructure development, information technology and
communication, health, education and women empowerment.
Noting that Bangladesh has achieved a steady GDP growth of over 6.6
percent over the past decade, he said, this growth has been even more
impressive in the last three years with 7.5 percent growth.
About the Vision 2021 and Vision 2041, the envoy said Bangladesh is on
right track of achieving these visions as it has already attained the status
of a low middle-income country and crossed the thresholds for graduating out
of LDC category.
Terming the bilateral political and economic relations between France and
Bangladesh time-tested and ever expanding, the ambassador invited French
companies to explore business and investment potential in Bangladesh, take
advantage of Bangladesh’s strategic location and many special investment
incentives the country offered.
Referring to the recent launching of French-built Bangladesh’s first
communication satellite ‘Bangabandhu-I’ into the orbit, he said the
partnership between the two countries is expanding in newer areas of
collaboration.
Commercial Counsellor of Bangladesh Embassy Dilara Begum and other
officials were present.