UNB, Dhaka :
Danish Minister for Trade and Development Cooperation Mogens Jensen on Thursday said Bangladesh needs more investment in production sectors alongside a long-term political stability to reach the next level of growth.
“To increase growth and wealth, you need to invest in your production sectors, not only in readymade garment sector but also in other promising sectors,” he said while responding to a question from UNB.
Appreciating Bangladesh’s progress in various areas, Jensen said there is no doubt that reaching more economic growth, also distributing wealth in society is very important for Bangladesh.
The Danish Minister was talking to a small group of reporters at Westin Hotel in the city after a conference. Danish Ambassador in Dhaka Hanne Fugl Eskjær was also present.
Jensen said one of the things the investors look at is political stability, and Bangladesh can produce a stable development way if it does not have ‘political unrest’.
“…so, it’s my hope the political unrest you experience in Bangladesh is possible to solve,” he said adding that because the solution is crucial not only for the foreign investors but also for the people of Bangladesh.
The Danish Minister laid emphasis on a long-term stable political system which is very crucial for development.
Responding to another question, Jensen talked about an universal knowledge of having full democracy with media freedom, freedom of speech, freedom to assemble and freedom for NGOs to work which are ‘very essential’ for developing a society.
Supporting criticisms against any government, the Danish Minister said criticism is part of how it develops. “When you’ve somebody always biting at you, then you’ll try to do better. It’s crucial. That’s universal kind of knowledge. This is very important to develop society.”
Responding to a question on human rights issue, he said the fundamentals of the development is human rights. “We’ll work on Human Rights questions (in Bangladesh).”
Earlier in his opening remark, Jensen said Bangladesh is a growing economy but still it has some challenges.
“We also have to say, now textile production is changing, you’re getting a better working environment proving at the same time that this is also improving business. It’s an investment for better business,” he added.
Jensen said they are very proud of working together-the buyers, sellers and government-to improve conditions in the RMG sector. “More focus is needed on workers rights and working conditions in order to get real sustainable conditions all over Bangladesh.”
The Danish minister also said he totally recognize what has been done in a short time creating actions on grounds. “Good things are now happening.”
Jensen, however, said still there some companies who are not fulfilling the conditions. “So, still [there’s] something to do.”
Sharing the Danish experience, he said even though they have secured labour conditions they still fight labour accidents. “It’s important that you don’t take rest, you’ve to continue.”
He described his visit as a ‘wonderful’ one as he is happy to see that their development assistance is reaching the poor.
The Danish Minister mentioned that more than 60 Danish companies are currently operating in Bangladesh which has a lot of potential to grow.
Danish Minister for Trade and Development Cooperation Mogens Jensen on Thursday said Bangladesh needs more investment in production sectors alongside a long-term political stability to reach the next level of growth.
“To increase growth and wealth, you need to invest in your production sectors, not only in readymade garment sector but also in other promising sectors,” he said while responding to a question from UNB.
Appreciating Bangladesh’s progress in various areas, Jensen said there is no doubt that reaching more economic growth, also distributing wealth in society is very important for Bangladesh.
The Danish Minister was talking to a small group of reporters at Westin Hotel in the city after a conference. Danish Ambassador in Dhaka Hanne Fugl Eskjær was also present.
Jensen said one of the things the investors look at is political stability, and Bangladesh can produce a stable development way if it does not have ‘political unrest’.
“…so, it’s my hope the political unrest you experience in Bangladesh is possible to solve,” he said adding that because the solution is crucial not only for the foreign investors but also for the people of Bangladesh.
The Danish Minister laid emphasis on a long-term stable political system which is very crucial for development.
Responding to another question, Jensen talked about an universal knowledge of having full democracy with media freedom, freedom of speech, freedom to assemble and freedom for NGOs to work which are ‘very essential’ for developing a society.
Supporting criticisms against any government, the Danish Minister said criticism is part of how it develops. “When you’ve somebody always biting at you, then you’ll try to do better. It’s crucial. That’s universal kind of knowledge. This is very important to develop society.”
Responding to a question on human rights issue, he said the fundamentals of the development is human rights. “We’ll work on Human Rights questions (in Bangladesh).”
Earlier in his opening remark, Jensen said Bangladesh is a growing economy but still it has some challenges.
“We also have to say, now textile production is changing, you’re getting a better working environment proving at the same time that this is also improving business. It’s an investment for better business,” he added.
Jensen said they are very proud of working together-the buyers, sellers and government-to improve conditions in the RMG sector. “More focus is needed on workers rights and working conditions in order to get real sustainable conditions all over Bangladesh.”
The Danish minister also said he totally recognize what has been done in a short time creating actions on grounds. “Good things are now happening.”
Jensen, however, said still there some companies who are not fulfilling the conditions. “So, still [there’s] something to do.”
Sharing the Danish experience, he said even though they have secured labour conditions they still fight labour accidents. “It’s important that you don’t take rest, you’ve to continue.”
He described his visit as a ‘wonderful’ one as he is happy to see that their development assistance is reaching the poor.
The Danish Minister mentioned that more than 60 Danish companies are currently operating in Bangladesh which has a lot of potential to grow.
