The American Chamber of Commerce in Bangladesh (AmCham) hosted a dialogue with Mr. Chowdhury Ashik Mahmud Bin Harun, Executive Chairman, Bangladesh Investment Development Authority (BIDA) and Bangladesh Economic Zones Authority (BEZA) at the Westin Hotel, Dhaka on Monday (21 October, 2024). Mr. John Fay, Commercial Counselor, U.S. Embassy Dhaka also attended the event.
AmCham President Mr. Syed Ershad Ahmed joined as the Session Chair. Treasurer Mr. Al-Mamun M Rashel and Executive Committee members Mr. Md. Moinul Huq, Mr. Mirza Shajib Raihan and Ms. Rubaba Dowla and a few AmCham members including Mr. Syed Mohammad Kamal, Country Manager, MasterCard, Mr. Habib Bhuiyan, Country Manager, Excelerate Energy Bangladesh, Mr. Reza Ur Rahman Mahmud, Managing Director, Philip Morris Bangladesh Ltd, Mr. Syed Shakil Ahmed, Chief Executive Officer, Kirtonkhola Tower Bangladesh Limited and Mr. Muhammad Imrul Kabir Corporate Affairs Director, Chevron Bangladesh. From BIDA, Dr. Khandoker Azizul Islam, Secretary (Additional Secretary) and Mr. Md. Ariful Hoque, Director General and from BEZA, Ms. Musarrat Jebin, Joint Secretary, Director General, (Investment Promotion) also attended the breakfast meeting.
The dialogue commenced with welcoming remarks from AmCham President Mr. Syed Ershad Ahmed, who emphasized the critical need for customs automation to enhance competitiveness in the global market. AmCham members shared challenges and recommendations for trade facilitation and attracting more FDI in Bangladesh.
Some key issues highlighted were streamlining legal and approval processes, BIDA’s role in capital machinery import, continuing a long-term policy, service enhancement at BIDA’s One-Stop Service portal, establishing an effective feedback mechanism, and branding Bangladesh as a prime investment destination to promote a conducive environment for foreign investment and also ensure the continuation of existing investment.
Mr. Chowdhury Ashik Mahmud Bin Harun provided an overview of BIDA’s ongoing efforts to facilitate trade. He appreciated the constructive feedback and recommendations shared during the session and took notes to resolve some pressing issues.
