Karachi, 27 March 2023:

Bangladesh Deputy High Commissioner in Karachi, S. M. Mahbubul Alam had at least fifteen (15) separate business meetings and interactions during 16-25 March 2023 with more than twenty (20) eminent industrialists, entrepreneurs, investors, businessmen, bankers who are Chairman, Vice-Chairman, President, Vice President, Chief Executive Officer, Chief Operating Officer, Managing Director, Managing Partner, Owner & Proprietor and Director of their respective business enterprises or industries in Pakistan.

Deputy High Commissioner S. M. Mahbubul Alam had separate meetings and interactions with Mr. Akhtar Khan Tessori, Chairman, Pakistan Gems Jewellery Traders and Exporters Association, Mr. Farhan Khan Tessori, CEO, Tessori Group, Mr. Imran Khan Tessori, Managing Director, Tessori Group, Mr. Zafar Ahmed, Director, Feroze1888 Mills Ltd, Mr. Waqas Ahmed, General Manager, Feroze1888 Mills Ltd, Mr. Daniyal Saleem, Director, Rajby Textiles Ltd, Mr. Tauseef Khan, GM, Rajby Textiles (Demin) Ltd, Mr. Nasim Ahmed, CEO, Orient Energy Systems Ltd, Mr. Zakiul Haq, Director, Orient Energy Systems Ltd, Mr. Zohaib Khan, CEO, Creatorz Digital Ltd. Mr. Syed Feroz Shah, Technical Advisor, Board of Investment of Pakistan, and Mr. Ashraf Ahmed, CEO, Rayyanco Business Systems.

Deputy High Commissioner S. M. Mahbubul highlighted the businesspersons on the socio-economic development of Bangladesh. He said that Bangladesh has transformed into a developing country by implementing Vision-2021, created a digital Bangladesh, and brought 100 percent of the people under electricity coverage. Bangladesh has opened the door to the blue economy by establishing sovereignty over the vast sea area. Bangladesh peacefully settled land boundary disputes and ended long standing enclave issues. Bangladesh constructed the Padma Bridge with her own funds and inaugurated Metro Rail. Deputy High Commissioner also highlighted on the ongoing mega-projects such as Matarbari Power Project, Rooppur Nuclear Station, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Tunnel under Karnaphuli River, Sonadia Deep Sea Port, Elevated Expressway, International Airport at Cox’s Bazar, and Third Terminal at  Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport. He further mentioned that Bangladesh has launched the Bangabandhu-1 satellite into space and recently inaugurated 100 bridges and 100 roads and highways on a single day.  

Deputy High Commissioner mentioned that Bangladesh has become a ‘Role Model’ of socio-economic development in the world. He briefed that Bangladesh is currently one of the five fastest growing economies in the world. Bangladesh currently ranks the 35^th largest economy in the world in terms of GDP. While in 1971, Bangladesh had per capita income less than USD100, which is currently USD2824. In 1971, the literacy rate was only less than 18%, which is currently around 80% with almost 100% primary enrollment rate. He shared the vision of the present government to turn Bangladesh into a developed country and Smart Bangladesh by 2041 and Bangladesh will be a trillion dollar economy with the 9^th largest market in the world by 2040.  

Bangladesh has been working hard to establish 100 Specialized Economic Zones (SEZs) across the country with foreign investment friendly policies. He further discussed about the promotion of trade and business and investment opportunities for mutual interests between Bangladesh and Pakistan. He elaborated on the potential and opportunities of trade and commerce and investment in Bangladesh. He invited the potential investors, industrialist, entrepreneurs and businesspersons from Pakistan to invest in Bangladesh. He also invited the businessmen to import products from Bangladesh. 

During the meeting and interactions, the eminent businesspersons and investors in Pakistan were deeply impressed with the success and positive stories of Bangladesh. They highly appreciated the impressive socio-economic developments in Bangladesh. They also expressed their willingness to invest and to do business with Bangladesh. They requested for the easiness of business visa of Bangladesh.