Bangladesh - A global economic power

[Maisson]

Bangladesh’s economy to overtake Malaysia, Hong Kong and Singapore in 2024

In 2024, Bangladesh will rank as the 30th largest economy in the world, overtaking Malaysia’s rank of 32nd that year

Bangladesh is set to become the world's 26th largest economy within the next decade, says a report published by the Centre for Economics and Business Research.

In a surprising note, the report predicts that in 2024, Bangladesh will rank as the 30th largest economy in the world, overtaking Malaysia's rank of 32nd that year. Bangladesh's economy ranked 40th largest in 2020, while Malaysia ranked 34th.

In 2024, Bangladesh's economy will overtake heavyweights such as Hong Kong (37th), Singapore (38th), Denmark (40th) and Norway (36th). Hong Kong's economy is currently ranked 35th, Singapore 37th, Denmark 39th and Norway 30th. 

Meanwhile, India is predicted to become the 3rd largest economy in 2034, behind China – which will dominate the global economy, and the USA – which will slip to second position.

The London based think tank published The World Economic League Table 2020 on December 26 last year, ranking the world's largest economies. 

Bangladesh has moved up one notch from its position last year, and has been persistently maintaining its rank as the 2nd largest economy in South Asia, just one-step behind neighbouring India. In 2034, Bangladesh is predicted to have the 25th largest economy in the world.

Fueled by a consistent economic growth over the last five years, Bangladesh has leapt from having the 57th largest economy in 2014 to 41st in 2019. The country's average economic growth has been 7.39 percent in the last five fiscal years. Bangladesh even hit a record growth of 8.15 percent in the last fiscal year.

Three rapidly growing Asian economies – Philippines, Bangladesh and Malaysia – have been listed as the fastest risers in the table amongst the larger economies. 

The Philippines rose from 38th place in 2019 to 36th place in 2020, and Malaysia from 35th to 34th during that same period.

In 2029, India is predicted to remain the largest economy in South Asia followed by Bangladesh and Pakistan. Whereas, Bhutan, Maldives and Afghanistan will remain at the bottom of the table.

With a Purchasing Power Parity (PPP) adjusted GDP per capita of $5,028 in 2019, Bangladesh is a lower middle-income country. The economy of the country performed well in 2019, expanding by an impressive 7.8 percent. This, however, is below the 7.9 percent GDP growth recorded in 2018, said the report.

The population has risen at a rate of just 1 percent per year since 2014. This means that per capita incomes have grown considerably in recent years. Government debt as a share of GDP rose to 34.6 percent in 2019. This is up from 34 percent in 2018. 

Despite this increase, the public sector finances remain in good shape. The relatively low debt burden has provided the government with the fiscal headroom to operate a budget deficit of 4.8 percent in 2019.

Speaking to The Business Standard, Dr Sayema Haque Bidisha, associate professor of Dhaka University's economics department, said, "Every country goes through a phase where its GDP peaks. Bangladesh is currently going through this phase."

Dr Bidisha also serves as a research fellow in the South Asian Network on Economic Modelling.

The Centre for Economics and Business Research has been delivering independent economic forecasting and analysis for decades. The centre also publishes the World Economic League Table, which tracks the size of different economies across the globe and projects changes over the next 15 years, up to 2034. 

In September 2018, the HSBC – in a report on 75 countries titled "The World in 2030" – also projected that Bangladesh will be the 26th largest economy in the world by 2030.

[Maisson]

Women earn more per hour than men in Bangladesh

Bangladesh also has the least gender monthly pay gap, which means that women earn only 2.2 per cent less than men per month

Bangladesh is the only country among 64 selected economies where women earn more wages per hour than men, according to a United Nations report. 

The estimation was made considering factor weighted average based on education, age, part-time/full-time work, public/private work, and so on.

Additionally, Bangladesh has the least gender monthly pay gap, which means that women earn only 2.2 per cent less than men per month. It is the only economy in the study to have achieved this minimum level of the gender pay gap.

Gender wage gap is the difference between the average earnings of women relative to the average earnings of men. Meanwhile, wage is a fixed regular payment earned for work or services, typically paid on an hourly or monthly basis.

When considering hourly wages, women in Bangladesh make 4.7 per cent more than their male counterparts, beating high-income economies such as the USA, UK, Canada, Sweden and the Netherlands.

The World Economic Situation and Prospects 2020, published on January 16, 2020, is an annual UN flagship publication on the state of the world economy, viewed through the lens of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development Goals (SDG). 

Among the 17 SDG goals, "Gender Equality" at number 5 focuses on achieving gender equality and empowerment of all women and girls. 

The annual report brings up the mean gender pay gap as measured hourly and monthly for 64 selected economies. This estimate is based on the 2018-19 report of the International Labour Organisation's Global Wage Report.

Pay Gap In Monthly Earnings Narrows

According to the 2018-19 ILO report, women were earning 5.5 per cent more than men in terms of mean hourly wages, but considering monthly earnings, women were earning 7.2 per cent less. 

The latest report by the UN shows that the pay gap has been reduced by 5 percentage points, an indication that Bangladesh has made a big improvement in this regard within just a year. 

Global Picture Not So Good

Globally, women's average hourly income is 18.8 per cent less compared to men. The situation is worse in terms of mean monthly wages, where women earn 21.2 per cent less than men.

In comparison, the 2018-19ILO report pointed out that globally, women were earning 15.6 per cent less than men hourly and 20.5 per cent less monthly. This clearly indicates that the mean gender pay gap has increased globally within one year.

Gap Wider In Upper Middle-Income Countries

In terms of equal pay to women, 17 upper-middle-income countries have fared the worst in the UN report. 

The 30 high-income countries selected for the survey have the least monthly pay gap in terms of economic groups. Shockingly enough, a selected five low-income countries performed well enough in mitigating the monthly gender pay gap to rank just below the high-income countries. 

The hourly gender pay gap is also the lowest in the selected five low-income countries.

In high-income countries, the hourly gender pay gap is 15.5 per cent and the monthly gender pay gap is 18.3 per cent. 

In low-income countries, the hourly pay scene is better than that of high-income countries. The hourly gender pay gap is 12.6 per cent and the monthly gender pay gap is 20.2 per cent. 

Pakistan Performs The Worst

In terms of both hourly and monthly wages, the most noticeable gender pay gap exists in Pakistan. The country's women are paid 36.3% less than men hourly. The monthly income of men in Pakistan is almost double compared to what women are earning in similar jobs.

The monthly gender pay gap in Pakistan currently stands at 43.8 per cent.

The second worst performer is the Republic of South Africa, where women are paid 28.5 per cent less than men hourly and 31.1 per cent less monthly.

The Republic of Korea is in the high-income country group, but in case of the gender pay gap, the country is in the third-worst position. Mean gender pay gap is 26.2 per cent and 28.3 per cent respectively for hourly and monthly wages.

South Asia

Along with Bangladesh and Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Nepal are also in the selected economies. India has not made it to the list.

Sri Lanka has shown a high gender pay gap, while Nepal is showing a relatively moderate gender pay gap compared to other South Asian countries. However, the percentage is higher than the world average in all South Asian countries, excluding Bangladesh.

About Estimations
According to the ILO definition, pay refers to total gross remuneration, which includes regular wages, bonuses and gifts during the time of working and time of not working, such as paid annual leave or paid sick leave. 

[Jetfore]

Now, I love The reaction of the Pakis and even Indians when these stats come up on newspapers and released by International economic agencies. Priceless.. lol

[Salted Cola]

9 minutes ago, Jetfore said:

Now, I love The reaction of the Pakis and even Indians when these stats come up on newspapers and released by International economic agencies. Priceless.. lol

Most Pakistanis will come up with an excuse or ask you why Dhaka is so dirty or that Bangladesh has sex trafficking of women and children. They behave as if there are no prostitutes in Pakistan or as if Bangladeshi economy is run by the sex industry. 

[Patriot_68]

Now is the time to invest in improving quality of life of mass people in our country. Usually economic growth and quality of life go side by side after a certain stage and I believe we are exactly at that point currently. 

[Jetfore]

1 hour ago, Salted Cola said:

Most Pakistanis will come up with an excuse or ask you why Dhaka is so dirty or that Bangladesh has sex trafficking of women and children. They behave as if there are no prostitutes in Pakistan or as if Bangladeshi economy is run by the sex industry. 

Ahh, the Pakis they always come up with some kind of excuse... 

[Salted Cola]

1 hour ago, Jetfore said:

Ahh, the Pakis they always come up with some kind of excuse... 

Just wait until Afghanistan is a better and more prosperous country than them, now that will be humiliation beyond words.

[Girls' Generation]

@Salted Cola their girls and women r being literally sold to China and thats nothing! And to tell u,another BS excuse they use is their consumption of cement is more than BD so no way Bangladesh is economically superior than Pakistan

And wait for Afghanistan? Boy,then u don't know wat Pakistanis virtual 'economists' r saying. Those lames argue CPEC and other projects will make them the 2nd largest economy, after China, by 2040 (u know which projects r killing them)

[Salted Cola]

2 hours ago, Girls' Generation said:

@Salted Cola their girls and women r being literally sold to China and thats nothing! And to tell u,another BS excuse they use is their consumption of cement is more than BD so no way Bangladesh is economically superior than Pakistan

And wait for Afghanistan? Boy,then u don't know wat Pakistanis virtual 'economists' r saying. Those lames argue CPEC and other projects will make them the 2nd largest economy, after China, by 2040 (u know which projects r killing them)

I know all about it, I live with Pakistanis (not toxic ones) and I deal with their excuses everyday. 

About the cement consumption, that is only because they have a higher population than us and a larger landmass that needs more infrastructure and the Pakistani government is expert in building massive roads that go nowhere.

CPEC is a leash that China is tying around their neck, it won't make them even the 25th largest economy by 2040, it'll make them China's favourite pet. CPEC = Coronavirus Pakistan Export Corridor

 

[Maisson]

Bangladeshi firm holds steady among world's largest 5,000

Asia accounts for 43 percent of the world's top firms by revenue and is the only region whose representation has risen over the past ten years

A Bangladeshi company has held its rank among the world's largest 5,000 firms, according to a report by the McKinsey Global Institute.

The American management consultancy firm published the report "Corporate Asia: A Capital Paradox" in January this year. 

In a previous report of the McKinsey published in July last year, the total revenue generated by the company was $1 billion, based on data from 2017. 

The report did not explicitly state the Bangladeshi company's name. But there are speculations in the local market that the firm could be the Summit Group, a large conglomerate involved in sectors such as communication, trading, shipping, energy and power. 

Incorporated in Singapore, the Summit Power International is a leading infrastructure developer and operator in South Asia. 

Setting up Bangladesh's first independent power plant in 1997, the Summit Power International went on to become the country's largest Independent Power Producer, reflecting 21 percent of Bangladesh's total private installed capacity and 9 percent of total installed capacity in 2017.

In October 2019, Japan's largest energy company Jera acquired a 22 percent stake in the Summit Power International for $330 million. 

Asia: A force to reckon with

Asia captured $1 of every $2 in new investments in the past decade, and this investment has helped the region scale rapidly. 

Asian companies have the largest share in the G5000 – the world's largest 5,000 firms by revenue. Asia accounts for 43 percent of the world's top 5,000 firms by revenue and is the only region whose representation has risen over the past ten years, the report said.

Chinese companies doubled their share of the G5000, in the decade, to over 900 firms and India's representation also doubled from a lower base of 85 to 142, the seventh-highest share. 

Although Asian firms outperform on growth in invested capital, they have underperformed when turning it into economic profit, added the report. 

During 2005-07 and 2015-17, economic profit dropped from $726 billion to an economic loss of $34 billion and half of that drop happened in Asia.

The report mentioned that three things led to this drop – the cyclicality of returns in the energy and materials sector, Europe's underperforming financial sector and China's allocation of capital to value-destroying sectors. 

One-third of all investments happened in China and 80 percent of that had been in value-destroying sectors.

In the past decade, the energy and materials sectors turned from being a large contributor to economic profit to the largest reason for lost economic profit, accounting for $500 billion of the slump. 

However, value is still being added in some pockets. And information technology globally has been a value-creator.

The McKinsey said, "We see pockets in Japan – the capital goods sector which means investments, heavy manufacturing, automotive and chemicals. That has been value-creating. We see that tech investments into Japan, Korea and China have been creating value.

"The coming decade will perhaps reap the benefits of these investments. They have been put in place, so we now hope to start seeing the returns on some of these over time."

In Asia, the "Troubled 200" – 200 largest companies that destroyed more economic profit than others – need to be turned around.

Similarly, the "Terrific 200" – companies that created a disproportionate amount of value – should get disproportionate investments to reverse global economic profit destruction.

[Maisson]

Govt puts forth Tk 1.0tn investment needs

'Pvt capital holds the key'
 FE Report | Published:  January 30, 2020 10:46:01

Representational image
The government has brought up a US$1.02 trillion investment requirement for the 8th five-year plan (FYP), which envisages achieving an upper middle income country status by 2031 and a developed nation by 2041.

The needs came on the first day of the two-day Bangladesh Development Forum, BDF, which began on Wednesday in Dhaka.

Officials let the development partners know that the country would need some $783.50 billion, or three-quarters of the total requirement, from the private sector alone for implementing the next planning blueprint.

And the remaining $252 billion will be come from the public sector.

General Economics Division, GED, member Professor Shamsul Alam presented the figures for the plan to be implemented over FY2021-FY2025.

He was presenting a paper on the "Effective Partnership for Implementation of 8th Five-year Plan towards achieving SDGs" at the keynote session of the forum, where cabinet secretary Khandker Anwarul Islam presided over the meeting.

Development partners, policymakers, civil servants, private sector and civil society representatives and academics spoke in different sessions.

Donor representatives highlighted the poor country ranking in the World Bank's Ease of Doing Business report, and the lack of transparency and accountability as the major impediments to drawing expected foreign direct investment into Bangladesh.

At the working session on "Private sector engagement and trade facilitation," Economic Growth Office director of USAID John Smith-Sreen said the lack of transparency and accountability are affecting Bangladesh's business expansion.

President of the Federation of Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce and Industry Sheikh Fazle Fahim presided over the session.

Mr John said the gap between policy and practice is also a big challenge for the country for attracting private investments and business.

The USAID director has suggested Bangladesh diversify its export products immediately ahead its graduation from the Least Developed Country status.

DFID Bangladesh chief Judith Herbertson said business climate is still a "big challenge" for Bangladesh to attain an upper middle-income country status.

"Here the lower tax-GDP ratio is a challenge for higher growth," she added.

Programme leader for equitable growth, finance and institutions of the World Bank Yutaka Yoshino said FDI is constrained in the country.

He suggested the government frame a comprehensive import and export policy so that it can have a proper link to business growth of the country.

EU ambassador in Bangladesh Rensje Teerink urged the government to arrange a business climate dialogue to discuss on how the country can overcome the barriers to easing doing trade and commerce.

President of the Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association Rubana Huq laid emphasis on taking preparation for the possible impact after graduation to a developing nation status in 2024.

She said Bangladesh has no way but to diversify its products as well as the markets.

She echoed the EU diplomat, calling for a dialogue with the private sector.

"Why don't you (government) think of including the garmentr sector investors who can also work towards diversifying the products?" Ms Rubana Huq.

In his response, commerce secretary Zafar Ahmed said Bangladesh is working on diversifying both products and markets to overcome any possible impact after the graduation.

"We are now discussing with at least 10 countries on entering into preferential or free-trade agreements," he added.

The government is also trying to explore the export markets at the CIA nations, the Mercosur trade block, including Brazil, Argentina, Uruguay and Paraguay and Africa, Mr Ahmed said.

Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives Minister Md Tajul Islam, Finance Secretary Abdur Rouf Talukder, Foreign Secretary Masud Bin Momen, Chair of BRAC Global Board Ameerah Haq, Executive Chairman of the BIDA Sirajul Islam, Executive Chairman of the BEZA Paban Chowdhury spoke, among others, at the forum.

Earlier, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina inaugurated the BDF, where Finance Minister AHM Mustafa Kamal, Economic Relations Division Secretary Monowar Ahmed, UN Resident Coordinator Mia Seppo, Vice President of the World Bank Hartwig Schafer, VP of Asian Development Bank Shixin Chen and Senior VP of JICA Junichi Yamada were present.

Four working sessions will take place today (Thurs), where policymakers, representatives from the development partners, private sector, and civil society were present.

[Darth Nihilus]

On 2/1/2020 at 2:12 AM, Salted Cola said:

I know all about it, I live with Pakistanis (not toxic ones) and I deal with their excuses everyday. 

About the cement consumption, that is only because they have a higher population than us and a larger landmass that needs more infrastructure and the Pakistani government is expert in building massive roads that go nowhere.

CPEC is a leash that China is tying around their neck, it won't make them even the 25th largest economy by 2040, it'll make them China's favourite pet. CPEC = Coronavirus Pakistan Export Corridor

 

Bro I think you're forgetting that they use cement as a side dish to all the radioactive grass they consume. Their egos aside, I think Pakistan can be a good ally in terms of just countering India. Bring back the assumption that India needs to keep their eyes on BOTH the Eastern and the Western borders. Other than that, Pakistan has nothing to offer Bangladesh.

[Salted Cola]

10 minutes ago, Darth Nihilus said:

Bro I think you're forgetting that they use cement as a side dish to all the radioactive grass they consume. Their egos aside, I think Pakistan can be a good ally in terms of just countering India. Bring back the assumption that India needs to keep their eyes on BOTH the Eastern and the Western borders. Other than that, Pakistan has nothing to offer Bangladesh.

Pakistan can be an ally no doubt, I actually want Bangladesh to take a softer approach to Pakistan and Imran khan is the guy we needed in Islamabad. He's got the Indians under pressure. Bangladesh can't keep India in check by itself and our economic clout can only take us so far, we need a friend whose nearby, it's even better that friend has the same enemy as us; Akhand Bharat.

 

Regardless of what clueless Yahoos say India under BJP is the greatest threat to Bangali way of life since 71.

[Darth Nihilus]

2 minutes ago, Salted Cola said:

Pakistan can be an ally no doubt, I actually want Bangladesh to take a softer approach to Pakistan and Imran khan is the guy we needed in Islamabad. He's got the Indians under pressure. Bangladesh can't keep India in check by itself and our economic clout can only take us so far, we need a friend whose nearby, it's even better that friend has the same enemy as us; Akhand Bharat.

 

Regardless of what clueless Yahoos say India under BJP is the greatest threat to Bangali way of life since 71.

Glad I found someone who has the same viewpoint. I was worried I'll be called a Rajakar for even mentioning that Bangladesh should have a better relation with Pakistan. Seeing the way Imran Khan is going, this is prime time for us to put aside some differences as it seems he might be coming back for another term as of now and we need to make the most of it.

[Salted Cola]

Just now, Darth Nihilus said:

Glad I found someone who has the same viewpoint. I was worried I'll be called a Rajakar for even mentioning that Bangladesh should have a better relation with Pakistan. Seeing the way Imran Khan is going, this is prime time for us to put aside some differences as it seems he might be coming back for another term as of now and we need to make the most of it.

Bangladesh is a Muslim country, the only Muslim country that isn't connected to another Muslim country via land borders. Our very existence is under threat from BJP India and Myanmar. We need all the friends we can get. 

 

I must add that Pakistan will have to apologize for 71 because what they did back then is unforgettable. We must forgive but never forget.

[Maisson]

Moody’s latest report reflects Bangladesh’s economic strength

The review highlights how Bangladesh balances robust growth prospects against very low per capita income and economic competitiveness

Moody's Investors Service has just completed its periodic review of a group of issuers – including Bangladesh.

Bangladesh's credit profile reflects the country's economic strength – which balances robust growth prospects against very low per capita income and economic competitiveness. It also shows the country's vulnerability to climate change risks – given its low-lying nature with large coastal areas prone to flooding and the influence of seasonal monsoon rains on rural incomes and consumption.

The review of the strength of institutions and governance takes into account weaknesses in the government's effectiveness, corruption control and low credibility in its legal structures – although macroeconomic policies are effective and conducive to macroeconomic stability.

It assessed the fiscal strength of Bangladesh's government – which balances the government's low debt burden against weak debt affordability because of its narrow revenue base.

The review also covers susceptibility to domestic political risk – incorporating a high-probability, low-impact scenario involving protests motivated by issues ranging from wages to road safety – that threatens to slow economic activity and raise perceptions of risks in the country. Meanwhile, banking sector risk remains elevated given the persistent weakness of state-owned banks.

[Asaf Khandekar]

Bangladesh most expensive country to live in South Asia

Tribune Desk

Published at 04:52 pm February 17th, 2020

The Islamic Republic of Pakistan is the world’s most affordable country to live in

According to a report from CEOWORLD magazine, Bangladesh is the most expensive country in South Asia and Switzerland is officially the world's most expensive nation to live in.

Meanwhile, the Islamic Republic of Pakistan is the world’s most affordable country to live in, followed by Afghanistan, India, Syria, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, and Tunisia, the report added.

European countries were prominent on the most expensive list. Of the top-twenty nations, nine were in Europe, five in Asia, one in North America, one in Africa, two in the Caribbean, and two in Oceania. 

Norway ranks second in the list of the world’s most expensive countries to live, followed by Iceland, Japan, Denmark, Bahamas, Luxembourg, Israel, Singapore, and South Korea.

A little further down the list one will find the United States in the 20th position, the United Kingdom in 27th, Saudi Arabia in 57th, and Russia in 82nd.

CEOWORLD magazine's rankings are based on five major metrics -- cost of living, rent, groceries, eating out and purchasing power.

To identify the world’s most and least expensive countries to live in, CEOWORLD magazine collected and reviewed data from dozens of studies, numbers of consumer price index, cost of Living Index, and numerous national and international media reports. 

These data are then compiled into an index, using the notoriously expensive city of New York City (NYC) as a benchmark. New York was given an index score of 100.

So a country with a score higher than 100 is more expensive than New York, while below signals less expensive. As a reference point, the average score for Germany was 65.26, making it the 29th most expensive country to live in.

Top 10 countries with highest living cost 

Sl

Countries

1

Switzerland

2

Norway

3

Iceland

4

Japan

5

Denmark

6

Bahamas

7

Luxembourg

8

Israel

9

Singapore

10

South Korea

https://www.dhakatribune.com/bangladesh/2020/02/17/bangladesh-most-expensive-country-to-live-in-south-asia

[Aparajita Banerjee]

I'm sharing this with Indian colleagues who think India is the most expensive place to live in South Asia!

[Aparajita Banerjee]

Bangladesh economy stronger than Singapore’s, says Hasina
Published: 19 Feb 2020 02:37 AM BdST Updated: 19 Feb 2020 02:37 AM BdST

Bangladesh sits on a stronger economic position than Singapore does, considering problems such as violent protests and dense population that do not blight the South-East Asian city state, Sheikh Hasina says.

Praising Singapore for its discipline, the prime minister said on Tuesday, “The political and economic conditions have made it easier for them [Singapore government] to achieve development.”

But Bangladesh experiences many odds like fire-bombings of buses, killings, and repression, the prime minister said, referring to protests and rule of the BNP and Jamaat-e-Islami.

“We are ahead of the countries not only in South Asia, but also those in Southeast Asia. We want to build a Singapore out of Bangladesh, but actually we are economically much stronger than Singapore. This is the least I can claim,” she said.

She made the remarks in her speech during a discussion on a thanksgiving motion on President Abdul Hamid’s address to parliament. It was her closing speech to the session as well.
Speaking about concerns over a coronavirus outbreak in China, which has hit global supply chain hard, Hasina said her government has taken measures to import industrial raw materials from other countries.

“So I don’t see anything to be scared about,” she said, describing efforts to prevent a possible outbreak in Bangladesh as well, such as screening of incoming travellers.

The prime minister said her government was also alert to a possible price hike during upcoming Ramadan. The authorities were stockpiling particular commodities so that they can control the markets by releasing them during the month of fasting, she said.

She condemned a recent rise in incidents of rape. The government has a zero-tolerance policy towards rape along with terrorism, militancy and drugs, she said.

https://bdnews24.com/bangladesh/2020/02/19/bangladesh-economy-stronger-than-singapores-says-hasina

[Maisson]

'Girls in Bangladesh have more opportunities than in India'

Tribune Desk
Published at 01:51 pm March 1st, 2020

During his address at the program, he spoke at length on the condition of women and referred to their vulnerabilities during times of strife

Eminent economist Amartya Sen has drawn comparison with Bangladesh while referring to problems Indian girls face, and said Bangladeshi girls dealt with the issues less frequently.

He was talking to the media after delivering a lecture on the problems faced by girls and women in India, at the closing ceremony of a two-day discussion on "Bharater Meyera: Ajker Chalchitra, Ajker Karanio," organized by Pratichi Trust, at Santiniketan in India on February 29, reports Telegraph India.

He questioned as to why India could not do several things that its eastern neighbour had done.

“Why has Bangladesh been able to do so many things that we have not been able to. The spread of education among girls in Bangladesh is far higher than both in Bengal and India. They (girls in Bangladesh) have more access to health care. Their life expectancy is higher than girls in India. It is also true that they (in Bangladesh) have more educational opportunities in school. Why do these differences exist? We are both Bangali (people). We need to think about this,” Amartya said.

During his address at the program, he spoke at length on the condition of women and referred to their vulnerabilities during times of strife.

“When a country is burning all across, as is happening in Delhi now… in such situations, the minority community may get beaten. Alongside, members of the majority community, who are amongst this environment of hooliganism, may also get beaten. But in whichever families these incidents occur, in those families the worst affected are always the girls,” he said.

Amartya continued: “So we can say that this is a kind of problem (for them), because amidst such a terrible environment, they (girls) may face more violence than usual…. Often, violence and oppression will be directed more frequently at them. And in several ways, their lives may be made to be unbearable.”

According to him, the other problems for a girl child are daily discrimination like lower availability of health care, and nutritious food in comparison with a boy child in the family and the chances of being kidnapped.

[Joel Ahmed]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bi2GiErUgNo

[Joel Ahmed]

https://www.tbsnews.net/economy/bogra-motors-wants-export-world-class-engine-filters-again-278980#.YP40bRuYzYg.facebook

Bogra Motors wants to export world-class engine filters again

The company has a production capacity of two lakh pieces of filters per month and currently produces 50,000-60,000 pieces

 

Bogra Motors Private Limited, a company producing engine filters for more than three decades, is planning to export its products again.

In 2007, the company started exporting filters to Canada after getting the ISO certificate in 2004.

It later stopped exports to focus only on the domestic market as the demand for its products grew significantly inside the country.

However, it is again eyeing the international market as it has enhanced its production capacity.

At present, Bogra Motors is running production in its factory with around 200 workers amid the Covid-19 pandemic.

The company produces about 400 types of filters which are used for different types of engines, including motorcycles and compressor engines.

The purpose of the engine filter is to prevent dust, dirt and other environmental contaminants from getting into the engine.

Filter prices range from Tk60 to Tk20,000 based on the size and quality of the engines.

The filters for motorcycles, buses, trucks, cars and microbuses have the highest demand in the market. These are sold for Tk300 to Tk2,000.

In 1965, Bogra Motors acquired about two bighas of land in the Bangladesh Small and Cottage Industries Corporation (BSCIC) industrial area of Bogrua. It started with repairing old motor vehicles, especially the crankshaft.

It imported crankshaft equipment from Germany to give customers the best service. However, later, the market was filled with equipment imported from China.

As a result, the demand for the services of Bogra Motors started to decline.

In 1989, the company changed its business and set up a factory to produce engine filters.

Bogra Motors captured the market exactly four years after starting production. Most of their products are sold in Dhaka and Chattogram.

Bogura is another big market for them. A senior BSCIC officer said no company sells more engine filters in the country than Bogra Motors.

The company has a production capacity of two lakh pieces of filters per month. Currently, it produces 50,000 to 60,000 pieces.

World-class raw materials

The main raw materials of an engine filter are filter paper and glue. At present, most of the filter papers are imported from Korea, but they used to be imported from Germany.

Bogra Motors imports filter papers directly through the Chattogram Port. The company imports glue from North Korea.

According to company officials, Thai glue is also very good. They imported glue from India twice. But they did not do so anymore due to poor quality.

Casing is a very important element to make a filter better. The company imports casings from North Korea.

It does not import plain sheets and buys them from other companies in the country. Rubber and plastic granules are also procured from local companies.

Two friends started the journey

Aminul Islam and Ahmed Rezaur Rahman became friends while studying at Bogura District School. After finishing their studies, they became first-class contractors.

Then they first set up a car repairing company and after that, a motor parts shop. In 1977, they started an engineering workshop. The journey of making engine filters started in 1989.

At first, they found it difficult to sell their products in the market. But later, they started making filters of international quality.

Now there are five directors of Bogra Motors - Aminul Islam's wife Jebunnesa Islam, and two sons Tahmidul Islam and Sirajul Islam. The two other directors are Ahmed Rezaur Rahman and his only son Sibbir Ahmed.

Bogra Motors Production Manager (special filter section) Mahbub Morshed Siddique has been working here for almost a decade.

He said, "These filters are usually used in engines. We produce different types of car filters, generator filters, agricultural machinery filters, etc. We produce world-class filters."

Md Nurul Islam, manager of Bogra Motors, said a Bangladeshi individual living in Canada was the first to export this filter there.

"Later, he gave us more orders. But then the demand in the country started to grow. It was no longer possible for us to export filters to the international market."

He further said, "We also got orders from the UAE. We rejected those for the same reason. But now we are thinking of exporting filters again. Hopefully, our products will be exported to the world market soon."

Dr Tahmidul Islam Chandan, one of the directors of Bogra Motors, said every filter produced here has "Made in Bangladesh" written on it.

"But the problem is car owners go to shops and want foreign products. Many fake companies in the country put 'Made in Japan' stickers on their products. Customers get easily deceived by them. These issues should be investigated by the government," he said.

He said Bogra Motors makes filters for all Japanese cars and that is why they had decided to export their filters to Nepal, Bhutan, Canada or London.

But there are some problems on the Indian border, he noted. 

"For example, the cost is high. If we can solve the problem with India, we will be able to capture a huge market in Nepal and Bhutan," he said.

He further said production costs had increased.

"For example, we have to pay huge taxes to the government to import raw materials. The government should consider this issue. If the tax is reduced, we will be able to provide more revenue to the government by exporting our products."

Tahmidul added, "Our partner Sibbir is in London now. We are looking for importers there."

AKM Mahfuzur Rahman, deputy general manager of BSCIC, said there is a huge demand for this product in the world.

"The filters produced here are world-class. There is no doubt about it. It is an ISO certified company. There is a market for the products of this company across the country. Even the Bangladesh Army has used these filters," he said.

"Such a company needs to be further developed. A new industrial city will be built in Bogura where it will be given more space with special consideration," he added.

[Patriot_68]

As EV are replacing traditional hydrocarbon fuel driven vehicles, I guess demand for engine filters will drop in coming days 

[Joel Ahmed]

1 hour ago, Patriot_68 said:

As EV are replacing traditional hydrocarbon fuel driven vehicles, I guess demand for engine filters will drop in coming days 

It is not about car only. Oil filters are also used in the heavy electrical appliances. Example: Transformer.  EV cars are still expensive for the middle-income in the first-world countries and we can see that change after 2 decades. 

[Joel Ahmed]

https://bonikbarta.net/home/news_description/270098/বিদেশে-কোম্পানি-খোলার-অনুমতি-পাচ্ছে-ছয়-প্রতিষ্ঠান

বিদেশে কোম্পানি খোলার অনুমতি পাচ্ছে ছয় প্রতিষ্ঠান

মেসবাহুল হক

জুলাই ২৮, ২০২১

দেশের বাইরে ব্যবসা সম্প্রসারণ করতে চায় ছয় উদ্যোক্তা প্রতিষ্ঠান। এজন্য বিদেশে বিনিয়োগের অনুমোদন চেয়ে সরকারের কাছে আবেদন করেছিল প্রতিষ্ঠানগুলো। চূড়ান্তভাবে না মিললেও এরই মধ্যে এ বিষয়ে নীতিগত সিদ্ধান্ত হয়ে গিয়েছে। অনুমোদন পেলে প্রতিষ্ঠানগুলো প্রাথমিক পর্যায়ে বিদেশে প্রায় ৬৬ কোটি টাকার সমপরিমাণ অর্থ (সর্বশেষ বিনিময় হার অনুযায়ী) বিনিয়োগ করবে।

বিদেশে বিনিয়োগের অনুমোদন পেতে যাওয়া ছয় প্রতিষ্ঠান হলো নাসা গ্রুপের এজে সুপার গার্মেন্টস, প্রাণ-আরএফএল গ্রুপের প্রাণ ফুডস লিমিটেড, বিএসআরএম লিমিটেড, এমবিএম গার্মেন্টস, ইনসেপ্টা ফার্মাসিউটিক্যালস লিমিটেড ও রেনাটা লিমিটেড। সম্প্রতি দেশী উদ্যোক্তাদের বিদেশে বিনিয়োগের আবেদন পর্যালোচনায় গঠিত প্রস্তাব মূল্যায়ন কমিটির এক সভা অনুষ্ঠিত হয়। সেখানেই প্রতিষ্ঠানগুলোকে বিদেশে বিনিয়োগের অনুমতি দেয়ার বিষয়ে নীতিগত সিদ্ধান্তের অনুমোদন দেয়া হয়। অর্থ মন্ত্রণালয় ও বাংলাদেশ ব্যাংকের একাধিক সূত্রে এ তথ্য নিশ্চিত হওয়া গিয়েছে। কমিটির চেয়ারম্যান ও বাংলাদেশ ব্যাংকের নির্বাহী পরিচালক ড. আবুল কালাম আজাদের সভাপতিত্বে অনুষ্ঠিত সভায় অর্থ মন্ত্রণালয়, পররাষ্ট্র মন্ত্রণালয়, বাণিজ্য মন্ত্রণালয় ও জাতীয় রাজস্ব বোর্ডের (এনবিআর) প্রতিনিধিরা উপস্থিত ছিলেন।

এ বিষয়ে জানতে চাইলে প্রস্তাব মূল্যায়ন কমিটির চেয়ারম্যান ও বাংলাদেশ ব্যাংকের নির্বাহী পরিচালক ড. আবুল কালাম আজাদ বণিক বার্তাকে বলেন, ব্যবসা সম্প্রসারণের জন্য এসব প্রতিষ্ঠানকে দেশের বাইরে বিনিয়োগ করতে দেয়ার বিষয়টি সরকার ও বাংলাদেশ ব্যাংক ইতিবাচকভাবে দেখছে। এরই মধ্যে এ বিষয়ে সরকারের বিভিন্ন মন্ত্রণালয় ও সংস্থার সঙ্গে বৈঠকও হয়েছে। বেশকিছু দিক বিচার-বিশ্লেষণ করে বিদেশে বিনিয়োগের অনুমতি দেয়ার বিষয়টি চূড়ান্ত হয়। বর্তমানে সংশ্লিষ্ট বিষয়াদি নিয়ে কাজ চলছে। যারা বিদেশে বিনিয়োগের অনুমতি পাবে, তাদের শিগগিরই চিঠি দিয়ে জানিয়ে দেয়া হবে।

বৈঠকের কার্যপত্র সূত্রে জানা গিয়েছে, নাসা গ্রুপভুক্ত স্থানীয় প্রতিষ্ঠান এজে সুপার গার্মেন্টস লিমিটেডের আন্তর্জাতিক বাণিজ্যে পূর্বাভিজ্ঞতা রয়েছে। এ অভিজ্ঞতা কাজে লাগিয়ে সৌদি আরবে শতভাগ রফতানিমুখী একটি খেজুর প্রক্রিয়াকরণ কারখানা স্থাপনের আগ্রহ প্রকাশ করেছে প্রতিষ্ঠানটি। এজন্য সরকারের কাছে করা এক আবেদনে প্রস্তাবিত প্রতিষ্ঠানের নাম উল্লেখ করা হয়েছে সিটি অব ড্রিমস ফর ডেটস কোম্পানি। নিজস্ব রফতানি প্রত্যাবাসন কোটার (ইআরকিউ) হিসাব থেকে ৫০ লাখ ডলার মূলধন বিনিয়োগের মাধ্যমে সাবসিডিয়ারি হিসেবে প্রতিষ্ঠানটি স্থাপন করতে চায় এজে সুপার গার্মেন্টস লিমিটেড। বাংলাদেশী মুদ্রায় এ বিনিয়োগের পরিমাণ দাঁড়ায় ৪২ কোটি ৪০ লাখ টাকা।

এ বিষয়ে জানতে চাইলে নাসা গ্রুপ অব ইন্ডাস্ট্রিজের কর্ণধার নজরুল ইসলাম মজুমদার বণিক বার্তাকে বলেন, বাংলাদেশের বেশকিছু কোম্পানি অনুমতি নিয়ে দেশের বাইরে বিনিয়োগ করেছে। আমরাও সৌদি আরবে বিনিয়োগে আগ্রহী। এতদিনে অনুমোদন হয়ে যাওয়ার কথা। অনুমোদন প্রক্রিয়ার সঙ্গে অনেক পক্ষ সম্পৃক্ত রয়েছে। অনুমোদন পেতে কিছুটা সময় লাগে। আমাদেরটিসহ আরো কিছু কোম্পানি অনুমোদনের অপেক্ষায় রয়েছে। আমাদের অনুমোদন না পাওয়ার কোনো কারণ নেই। অনুমোদিত বিনিয়োগের মাধ্যমে সৌদি আরবে স্থাপিত কোম্পানি থেকে বাংলাদেশসহ বিশ্বের বিভিন্ন দেশে খেজুর রফতানি হবে।

প্রাণ-আরএফএল গ্রুপ এরই মধ্যে পৃথিবীর বিভিন্ন দেশে রফতানি কার্যক্রম পরিচালনা করছে। ভারতের সেভেন সিস্টার্স অঞ্চলে গ্রুপটির রফতানির একটি বড় বাজার রয়েছে। এ বাজার আরো সম্প্রসারণের সুযোগ রয়েছে। ভারতের কাস্টমস ও বিভিন্ন নিয়ন্ত্রণ কর্তৃপক্ষের আরোপকৃত বিভিন্ন নন-ট্যারিফ ব্যারিয়ারের কারণে বাংলাদেশ থেকে ভারতে পণ্য রফতানি কার্যক্রম বিভিন্নভাবে ব্যাহত হচ্ছে। এছাড়া ভারতের সীমান্তবর্তী এলাকায় রফতানীকৃত খাদ্যপণ্যের ল্যাবরেটরি টেস্ট ও পণ্য পরিবহনের জন্য আনলোড-রিলোডিংয়ের কাজেও অনেক সময় ব্যয় হয়। এজন্য প্রাণ ফুডস লিমিটেড তাদের স্বল্পায়ু পণ্য যেমন রুটি, কেক ইত্যাদি ভারতে রফতানি করতে পারছে না।

এ প্রেক্ষাপটে প্রতিষ্ঠানটি এখন ভারতে একটি সাবসিডিয়ারি কোম্পানি স্থাপনের মাধ্যমে স্বল্পায়ু পণ্য উৎপাদনের উদ্যোগ নিয়েছে। এজন্য পণ্যগুলোর আংশিক প্রস্তুতকৃত কাঁচামাল ভারতে রফতানি করা হবে। এরপর সেখানে ওই কাঁচামাল প্রক্রিয়াজাত করে খাদ্যপণ্য তৈরি করা হবে। এসব পণ্য ভারতের বাজারেই ‘মেড ইন ইন্ডিয়া’ স্লোগানসহ বাজারজাত করা যাবে। প্রতিষ্ঠানটি মনে করছে, প্রস্তাবিত সাবসিডিয়ারি প্রতিষ্ঠা করা গেলে এর মাধ্যমে অশুল্ক বাধার সমস্যা থেকে পরিত্রাণের পাশাপাশি ভারতে বাংলাদেশীদের কর্মসংস্থানের সুযোগ সৃষ্টি হবে। এজন্য কোম্পানিটির রফতানি প্রত্যাবাসন কোটার (ইআরকিউ) হিসাব থেকে ২০ লাখ ৬২ হাজার ৬৬৫ ডলার মূলধন হিসেবে বিনিয়োগের মাধ্যমে ভারতে পিনাকেল ফোরএস কোম্পানি লিমিটেড নামে একটি সাবসিডিয়ারি কোম্পানি স্থাপনের অনুমতি চাওয়া হয়েছে। বাংলাদেশী মুদ্রায় এ বিনিয়োগের পরিমাণ দাঁড়ায় ১৭ কোটি ৪৯ লাখ ১৩ হাজার ৯৯২ টাকা।

এ বিষয়ে জানতে চাইলে প্রাণ-আরএফএল গ্রুপের মার্কেটিং ডিরেক্টর কামরুজ্জামান কামাল বণিক বার্তাকে বলেন, কৃষিজাত খাদ্যপণ্যের একটি কারখানা ভারতে স্থাপনের পরিকল্পনা ছিল প্রাণ ফুডসের। গত ফেব্রুয়ারির দিকে এ-সংক্রান্ত একটি আবেদন দেয়া হয়েছিল। এখন পর্যন্ত কোনো সাড়া পাইনি।

বাংলাদেশ স্টিল রি-রোলিং মিলস লিমিটেড (বিএসআরএম) হংকংয়ে ২০১৮ সালে বিএসআরএম (হংকং) লিমিটেড নামে একটি সাবসিডিয়ারি কোম্পানি স্থাপন করেছে। চীন ও আশপাশের এলাকা থেকে কাঁচামাল, পণ্য এবং খুচরা যন্ত্রাংশ আমদানি, আমদানীকৃত পণ্যের তাত্ক্ষণিক পরিদর্শন, ইস্পাত ও নির্মাণসামগ্রী রফতানি কার্যক্রমের মাধ্যমে প্রতিষ্ঠানটি এখন হংকংয়েই আরো ব্যবসা সম্প্রসারণ করতে ইচ্ছুক হয়ে উঠেছে। এজন্য কোম্পানিটি ইআরকিউ হিসাব থেকে ৫ লাখ ডলার মূলধন বিনিয়োগের মাধ্যমে ব্যবসা সম্প্রসারণের অনুমতি চেয়েছে। বাংলাদেশী মুদ্রায় বিনিয়োগের পরিমাণ ৪ কোটি ২৪ লাখ টাকা।

এ বিষয়ে জানতে চাইলে বিএসআরএম গ্রুপের ব্যবস্থাপনা পরিচালক আমীর আলীহুসাইন বণিক বার্তাকে বলেন, বিদেশে বিনিয়োগের লক্ষ্যে একটি আবেদন করা হয়েছিল। আমরা অনুমতির অপেক্ষায় আছি।

ইআরকিউ হিসাব থেকে ১ লাখ ডলার বা বাংলাদেশী মুদ্রায় ৮৪ লাখ ৮০ হাজার টাকা সিঙ্গাপুরে বিনিয়োগের জন্য আবেদন করেছে এমবিএম গ্রুপের প্রতিষ্ঠান এমবিএম গার্মেন্টস লিমিটেড। স্থানীয় তিনটি ম্যানুফ্যাকচারিং ইউনিটের জন্য সুলভ মূল্যে ফ্যাব্রিক ও অ্যাকসেসরিজ ক্রয়ের পাশাপাশি বিভিন্ন দেশের পোশাক কারখানায় কাঁচামাল সরবরাহের ব্যবসা সম্প্রসারণের জন্য এ বিনিয়োগ করতে চায় প্রতিষ্ঠানটি। এছাড়া প্রতিষ্ঠানটির দেশে স্থাপিত তিনটি ইউনিটে উৎপাদিত পণ্যের বিপণন ও বিদেশী ক্রেতা সংগ্রহের কাজেও সিঙ্গাপুরে স্থাপিত সাবসিডিয়ারিটিকে কাজে লাগাতে চায় প্রতিষ্ঠানটি। প্রস্তাবিত কোম্পানির নাম এমবিএম সিঙ্গাপুর লিমিটেড।

ইনসেপ্টা ফার্মাসিউটিক্যালস লিমিটেড বর্তমানে ৭১টি দেশে পণ্য রফতানি করছে। মার্কিন বাজারে রফতানির জন্য এক বছরের মধ্যেই দেশটির ওষুধ নিয়ন্ত্রক প্রতিষ্ঠান ইউএস ফুড অ্যান্ড ড্রাগ অ্যাডমিনিস্ট্রেশন (এফডিএ) থেকে প্রয়োজনীয় অনুমোদন পাবে বলে আশাবাদী প্রতিষ্ঠানটি। তবে যুক্তরাষ্ট্রে শুধু সেখানে নিবন্ধিত কোম্পানিগুলোরই মেডিকেল পণ্য বাজারজাত করতে পারবে বলে বাধ্যবাধকতা রয়েছে। এজন্য নিজস্ব ইআরকিউ হিসাব থেকে ১ লাখ ডলার (৮৪ লাখ ৮০ হাজার টাকা) মূলধন বিনিয়োগের জন্য অনুমোদন চেয়ে আবেদন করেছে। প্রস্তাবিত সাবসিডিয়ারি কোম্পানির নাম ইনসেপ্টা ফার্মা ইউএসএ লিমিটেড।

ব্যবসায়ে উচ্চপ্রবৃদ্ধির ধারা অব্যাহত রাখতে শুধু স্থানীয় বাজারের ওপর নির্ভরশীল থাকতে চাইছে না দেশের ওষুধ খাতের অন্যতম বৃহৎ প্রতিষ্ঠান রেনাটা লিমিটেড। এজন্য দেশের বাইরেও বাজার সম্প্রসারণের কৌশল হাতে নিয়েছে প্রতিষ্ঠানটি। এরই মধ্যে যুক্তরাজ্যে রেনাটার একটি প্রতিষ্ঠানও নিবন্ধিত হয়েছে। বর্তমানে ইউরোপীয় ইউনিয়নভুক্ত (ইইউ) দেশগুলোতেও বড় সম্ভাবনার সুযোগ দেখতে পাচ্ছে রেনাটা। এরই ধারাবাহিকতায় কোম্পানিটি আয়ারল্যান্ডে রেনাটা ফার্মাসিউটিক্যালস (আয়ারল্যান্ড) লিমিটেড নামে একটি সাবসিডিয়ারি গঠনের অনুমতি চেয়েছে। এতে মূলধন হিসেবে বিনিয়োগ করা হবে ৭ হাজার ১০০ ইউরো। বাংলাদেশী মুদ্রায় এর পরিমাণ দাঁড়ায় ৭ লাখ ৮ হাজার ৭২২ টাকা। এ বিনিয়োগের মাধ্যমে আয়ারল্যান্ডে রেনাটা ফার্মাসিউটিক্যালস (আয়ারল্যান্ড) লিমিটেড নামে একটি সাবসিডিয়ারি কোম্পানি গঠনের অনুমতি চেয়েছে প্রতিষ্ঠানটি।

প্রতিষ্ঠান সংশ্লিষ্টরা জানিয়েছেন, আয়ারল্যান্ডে ওষুধ বিক্রি করতে হলে ইইউর নিয়ম-নীতি অনুসরণ করতে হয়। এ আনুষ্ঠানিকতার অনুষঙ্গ হিসেবেই রেনাটা ফার্মাসিউটিক্যালস (আয়ারল্যান্ড) লিমিটেডের নিবন্ধন নিতে হয়েছে বলে জানিয়েছে রেনাটা লিমিটেড। ওই কোম্পানির মাধ্যমে ইউরোপীয় ইউনিয়নভুক্ত দেশগুলোতে পণ্য বাজারজাত করবে প্রতিষ্ঠানটি। এ প্রসঙ্গে রেনাটার ব্যবস্থাপনা পরিচালক সৈয়দ এস কায়সার কবির বণিক বার্তাকে বলেন, ওষুধ বিক্রিতে ইউরোপীয় ইউনিয়নের বিধি অনুসরণ করতে রেনাটা ফার্মাসিউটিক্যালস (আয়ারল্যান্ড) লিমিটেডের নিবন্ধন নিতে হয়েছিল। একইভাবে যুক্তরাজ্যের বিধি অনুসরণ করতে স্থাপিত হয় রেনাটা ইউকে।

বাংলাদেশ ব্যাংক জানিয়েছে, গত বছর বিদেশে বাংলাদেশী উদ্যোক্তাদের বিনিয়োগের স্থিতি ছিল ৩২ কোটি ৭১ লাখ ৪০ হাজার ডলার। বাংলাদেশী মুদ্রায় এর পরিমাণ দাঁড়ায় ২ হাজার ৭৭৪ কোটি ১৪ লাখ ৭২ হাজার টাকার সমান (প্রতি ডলারে ৮৪ দশমিক ৮০ টাকা ধরে)। সর্বশেষ গত বছর বাংলাদেশের উদ্যোক্তারা বিদেশে নিট বিনিয়োগ করেছেন ১ কোটি ১৬ লাখ ডলার।

জানা গিয়েছে, এরই মধ্যে তৈরি পোশাক খাতের ডিবিএল গ্রুপকে ইথিওপিয়ায় পোশাক কারখানা স্থাপনে বিনিয়োগের অনুমোদন দেয়া হয়েছে  এসিআই হেলথকেয়ার, স্কয়ার ফার্মা ও ইনসেপ্টা ফার্মাসিউটিক্যালস আগেই বিদেশে বিনিয়োগের অনুমোদন পেয়েছে। কেনিয়ায় ইস্পাত কারখানা খোলার অনুমতি পেয়েছে বিএসআরএম স্টিল।স্পেকট্রাম ইঞ্জিনিয়ারিং পেয়েছে সিঙ্গাপুরে বিনিয়োগের অনুমতি। আকিজ গ্রুপ মালয়েশিয়ার রবিন রিসোর্সেস কেনার অনুমোদন পেয়েছে। সামিট গ্রুপের বিনিয়োগ রয়েছে সিঙ্গাপুরে। এছাড়া আরো কয়েকটি কোম্পানির বিদেশে বিনিয়োগ রয়েছে।

সাম্প্রতিক বছরগুলোয় উন্নয়নশীল দেশের উদ্যোক্তাদের মধ্যে নিজ নিজ দেশের বাইরে ব্যবসার সুযোগ নেয়ার আগ্রহ বেড়েছে। বাংলাদেশের উদ্যোক্তারাও অনেকদিন ধরে দেশের বাইরে বিনিয়োগের সুযোগ দাবি করে আসছিলেন। তবে বাংলাদেশ বিদেশে বিনিয়োগের ক্ষেত্রে খুব সতর্কভাবে এগোচ্ছে। ২০১৫ সালের সেপ্টেম্বরে বৈদেশিক মুদ্রা নিয়ন্ত্রণ আইন-১৯৪৭ সংশোধন করে শর্তসাপেক্ষে বিদেশে বিনিয়োগ নেয়ার সিদ্ধান্ত নেয় সরকার। রফতানিমুখী প্রতিষ্ঠানগুলোকে কেস টু কেস ভিত্তিতে এ সুযোগ দেয়া হচ্ছে। এছাড়া বাংলাদেশের ব্যাংকগুলোর বিদেশে অবস্থিত শাখা ও এক্সচেঞ্জ হাউজ পরিচালনার জন্যও পুঁজি নেয়ার অনুমোদন দেয়া হচ্ছে। বর্তমানে বিশ্বের ২০টির বেশি দেশে বাংলাদেশী বিভিন্ন কোম্পানির বিনিয়োগ রয়েছে।