The Bangladesh Investment Development Authority (BIDA), in collaboration with the Asian Development Bank (ADB) and the South Asian Network on Economic Modeling (SANEM), organized a divisional workshop on the Survey of Industries in Bangladesh at a hotel in Khulna. The event brought together government officials, private sector representatives, investors, and local stakeholders from the Khulna division to discuss the survey's scope, purpose, and the challenges faced by investors. The workshop aimed to gather insights and verify data to support investment and policymaking in the region.
The workshop was chaired by Gazi AKM Fazlul Haque, Director General of BIDA, with Sifat Mehnaz, Additional Divisional Commissioner of Khulna Division, serving as the chief guest. Md Tariqul Islam Zaheer, Managing Director of Achia Sea Foods Limited, participated as the guest of honour, and Tasnim Alam, Public Sector Economist at ADB Bangladesh, joined online.
Dr Selim Raihan, Executive Director of SANEM and Professor of Economics at the University of Dhaka, opened the workshop by outlining the survey's objectives. He emphasized the need to identify and address investor challenges, build a comprehensive database, and support evidence-based policymaking. The workshop highlighted the importance of stakeholder participation, including government bodies, NGOs, and investors.
Tasnim Alam noted the significance of the private sector as Bangladesh prepares to graduate from Least Developed Country status. She stressed the need for more investors and easier processes, highlighting BIDA's one-stop service and the country's growth potential. Md Tariqul Islam Zaheer discussed future industries for Khulna, such as jute, sugar, shipbuilding, and cold storage, and called for modern technology and eco-friendly practices.
The technical session, led by Dr Selim Raihan and Mr Zubayer Hossen, Programme Director of SANEM, presented the survey's scope, methods, and stakeholder cooperation. The session covered the collection and verification of investment data, building a standard database, producing analytical reports, and preparing a national investment compendium. The open discussion addressed government subsidies, licensing issues, electricity shortages, and high bank rates, highlighting the need for improved utility services and accessible working capital.
