Representatives of foreign companies have put the problems of investment in Bangladesh before the Chief Adviser to the Interim Government, Prof Dr Muhammad Yunus while having a meeting.
In response, the CA said that he has ordered to bring all the companies under one umbrella to attract foreign investment. At the same time, he also directed to resolve the land rights issue of the Korean Export Processing Zone (KEPZ) by the first week of next month.
Dr Yunus on Tuesday gave these instructions when several top foreign investors including Youngone Corporation Chairman Kihak Sung came to visit him at the state guest house Jamuna.
Mr Kihak highlighted the problems of foreign direct investment (FDI) in the country and called for speeding up exports through Chattogram Port.
The Youngone Corporation chairman also urged the government for expedited shipments through the Chittagong Port, saying slow turnaround time in the country's largest port was largely to blame for the lack of high-end and fashion clothing orders from top global brands.
Kihak Sung and British investor Mohammed A Matin spoke for the need to bring all the investment promotion agencies under one umbrella, saying it will offer efficient one-stop services to foreign investors.
At the meeting the chief adviser was also informed about the land issue of the Korean EPZ.
The chief adviser told Sung that the land issue of the KEPZ, which acted as a key deterrent to FDI in the industrial park, would be solved by February 6.
The chief adviser said he has asked the Bangladesh Investment Development Authority (BIDA) chief, Chowdhury Ashik Mahmud Bin Harun, to bring all five investment agencies under one office.
Prof Yunus also said Special Envoy Lutfey Siddiqi is working on a series of plans to make Chittagong a top port in the region.
The chief adviser said the Interim Government has moved to carry out vital labour reforms and said his special envoy, Lutfey Siddiqi, was working on the issue.
Paul Anthony Warren, Director of Dewhirst, which operates several garment factories in Bangladesh, also attended the meeting.
Bd-Pratidin English/ AM
