Two major companies – Abu Dhabi Ports Group (ADPG) and Masdar – in the United Arab Emirates have rolled out plans to invest in port development, management and logistics, and the renewable energy sectors in Bangladesh.
Ahmad Ibrahim Al Mutawa, CEO of ADPG, and Fatima Almadhloum Alsuwaidi, head of development and investment, Asia-Pacific Region, Masdar, came up with the investment proposals when they called on Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus at the state guesthouse Jamuna in Dhaka on Tuesday.
"Bangladesh is ready for business,” said the chief adviser, appreciating the investment proposals. “Bring your people and set up as many plants as you want.”
Abu Dhabi Ports Group is the fourth major port handlers and logistics company after DP World of the UAE, AP Moller Maersk of Denmark, and Red Sea Gateway Terminal of Saudi Arabia to express interest in Bangladesh’s port management in less than a week.
Abu Dhabi Ports Group has expressed interest in developing one of the proposed three bay terminals through financing, operating, and maintaining container and multipurpose terminals and facilities under a joint venture with the Chittagong Port Authority.
Group CEO Al Mutawa praised the welcoming attitude of Bangladeshi authorities and hoped its investment would help increase ship movement in Bangladesh ports.
Renewable energy company Masdar proposed to invest $500 million in reclaimed land on the coast to set up a 250MW solar power project.
“We are very supportive of showcasing new ideas to Bangladesh,” Fatima Almadhloum said.
Abdulla Ali Abdulla Khaseif AlHmoudi, UAE ambassador to Bangladesh, Khalilur Rahman, high representative of the chief adviser, and Lamiya Morshed, senior secretary for SDG affairs, were also present on the occasion.
The envoy handed over an invitation from the Dubai ruler to Prof Yunus to attend the World Government Summit in the UAE in February.
Source: The Daily Sun
bd-pratidin/Rafid
