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http://www.bdnews24.com/details.php?cid=4&id=236725
Dhaka, Nov 21 (bdnews24.com)—The United Arab Emirates has offered to invest in four multi-billion-dollar projects in the shipping sector that include development of a deep-sea port.
"We recently received a letter from the Gulf nation showing their interest in four mega projects including developing deep sea port in Bangladesh," Director General of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Nazrul Islam told bdnews24.com.
China and India have also offered to invest in the proposed port at Sonadia.
The other three projects where the UAE wants to invest are New Mooring Container Terminal in Chittagong, Inland Container Depot with rail connectivity in Dhaka and Mongla port.
"We are positively considering it and expect a delegation at the ministerial level will visit Dhaka to discuss the proposals," he added.
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina visited Dubai in 2011 and asked the UAE to explore opportunities to fund in infrastructure sector in Bangladesh.
The cooperation will be government-to-government through an UAE company, DP World, and an inter-ministerial meeting would discuss the substantive aspects of the proposals in December, Islam said.
"The government has been pursuing investment from the Middle East since it came to power in addition to other two major focus areas, manpower and trade," the DG added.
Qatari Investment
Another Gulf state, Qatar, also showed interest in two mega-projects involving about $4 billion.
"Qatar wants to set up 1000 megawatt LNG-based power plant with an investment of $1.5 billion and the other one is to upgrade and modernise Shahjalal airport in Dhaka involving $2 billion," Islam said.
The Qatari delegation came to Dhaka in May and signed an agreed minutes in this regard, he added.
"We are negotiating with our counterparts and hope to reach a win-win situation."
In the airport upgrading projects, there are four components and Qatar may invest in one or more or all four of them, he added.
The components are constructing two more terminal buildings, hanger, cargo village and parallel runway.
Bahrain
Foreign Minister Dipu Moni is travelling to Bahrain in January to sign important agreements to lure in investment.
The agreements are investment cooperation, avoidance of double taxation and annual high-level political consultation, DG Islam said.
"Bahrain's Speaker of parliament is also coming in January, which will improve our bilateral relations."
Govt focus
Bangladesh is stressing on investment from all over the world including the Middle East, said a senior official of the ministry who does not wish to be named.
"The Middle East has a lot of cash and if Bangladesh can play its cards right, it could be a great opportunity for Bangladesh to open another window of cooperation – investment," he said.
In Bangladesh, the Gulf region means sending manpower and draw remittance but if investment from the Middle East comes, it would widen the opportunity for more manpower export, he added.
"If the Gulf investors come here, they will need manpower and eventually they will provide customised training and this skilled workforce can be employed in the Middle East," he explained.
Dhaka, Nov 21 (bdnews24.com)—The United Arab Emirates has offered to invest in four multi-billion-dollar projects in the shipping sector that include development of a deep-sea port.
"We recently received a letter from the Gulf nation showing their interest in four mega projects including developing deep sea port in Bangladesh," Director General of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Nazrul Islam told bdnews24.com.
China and India have also offered to invest in the proposed port at Sonadia.
The other three projects where the UAE wants to invest are New Mooring Container Terminal in Chittagong, Inland Container Depot with rail connectivity in Dhaka and Mongla port.
"We are positively considering it and expect a delegation at the ministerial level will visit Dhaka to discuss the proposals," he added.
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina visited Dubai in 2011 and asked the UAE to explore opportunities to fund in infrastructure sector in Bangladesh.
The cooperation will be government-to-government through an UAE company, DP World, and an inter-ministerial meeting would discuss the substantive aspects of the proposals in December, Islam said.
"The government has been pursuing investment from the Middle East since it came to power in addition to other two major focus areas, manpower and trade," the DG added.
Qatari Investment
Another Gulf state, Qatar, also showed interest in two mega-projects involving about $4 billion.
"Qatar wants to set up 1000 megawatt LNG-based power plant with an investment of $1.5 billion and the other one is to upgrade and modernise Shahjalal airport in Dhaka involving $2 billion," Islam said.
The Qatari delegation came to Dhaka in May and signed an agreed minutes in this regard, he added.
"We are negotiating with our counterparts and hope to reach a win-win situation."
In the airport upgrading projects, there are four components and Qatar may invest in one or more or all four of them, he added.
The components are constructing two more terminal buildings, hanger, cargo village and parallel runway.
Bahrain
Foreign Minister Dipu Moni is travelling to Bahrain in January to sign important agreements to lure in investment.
The agreements are investment cooperation, avoidance of double taxation and annual high-level political consultation, DG Islam said.
"Bahrain's Speaker of parliament is also coming in January, which will improve our bilateral relations."
Govt focus
Bangladesh is stressing on investment from all over the world including the Middle East, said a senior official of the ministry who does not wish to be named.
"The Middle East has a lot of cash and if Bangladesh can play its cards right, it could be a great opportunity for Bangladesh to open another window of cooperation – investment," he said.
In Bangladesh, the Gulf region means sending manpower and draw remittance but if investment from the Middle East comes, it would widen the opportunity for more manpower export, he added.
"If the Gulf investors come here, they will need manpower and eventually they will provide customised training and this skilled workforce can be employed in the Middle East," he explained.
