Staff Reporter :
The United States of America (USA) and the United Kingdom (UK) on Thursday again expressed their concern over security in the wake of recent terror attacks stressing the need for more effective security steps.
But they have shown keen interest to enhance bilateral trade and investment in Bangladesh and said they remain Bangladesh’s largest trading partners and they must all work together.
US Ambassador in Dhaka Marcia Bernicat at a function to mark commencing of Beximco Parmaceutical’s export to the US at a city hotel said, the government must work to reassure foreign investors that it is taking all appropriate measures to ensure the security of their factories and personnel in the wake of recent terror attacks in Bangladesh.
Marcia Bernicat said authoritative messaging from the government when attacks occur to reassure the public, and the government’s unambiguous and undivided attention on defeating this new form of terrorism.
Finance Minister AMA Muhith, Health and Family Welfare Minister Mohammed Nasim, Vice Chairman Salman Rahman, Managing Director Nazmul Hassan, and Chief Information Officer Rabbur Reza of Beximco were present on the occasion.
She said a safe and stable Bangladesh is crucial to attracting further investment and continuing economic growth to reach middle-income status.
“For Bangladesh to meet the goal of becoming a middle income country, it is crucial for the country to diversify its economy and move up the value-added chain. Manufacturing plants like this one and others across Bangladesh are key to meeting this goal,” Marcia Bernicat said.
She said the pharmaceutical industry is arguably the most knowledge and technologically intensive export industry in Bangladesh.
She, however, said the industry still only accounts for 1 per cent of GDP, the US ambassador said.
“I look forward to seeing pharma’s contribution to the national economy grow, and to seeing other knowledge and technologically intensive industries grow,” she said.
She said in order to continue to move forward there is still work needed to improve the business environment for businesses like Beximco to further entice foreign investors to bring their capital and technology to Bangladesh.
Bangladesh must continue to lay the groundwork for sectors like pharmaceuticals to thrive.
The US Ambassador said the protection of intellectual property, for example, is critical for the growth of a robust pharmaceutical industry.
“Today is a reminder that Bangladesh is a resilient country and that the path forward for a secure future will include the mechanism this country has relied on successfully in past times of crisis – government, civil society, and the private sector all working together,” she said.
“On that regard, I am pleased to see Public Administration Minister Syed Ashraful Islam’s comments that all parties will be included in the anti-militancy committees.”
She said today is also about trade between two partners, and this new trade relationship is a strong vote by my country for the successful economic future of Bangladesh.
“The United States remains Bangladesh’s largest trading partner and we must all work together to continue growing our two-way trade over the coming years,” said Marcia Bernicat. “I am especially proud that U.S. consumers will now be able to take a life-saving drug and see “Made in Bangladesh” on the bottle,” the US Ambassador said.
Receiving approval from the United States Food and Drug Administration is a long and rigorous process.
“I have visited several factories in Bangladesh but this visit was truly special because it heralds the future of Bangladesh’s economy and its exports,” she said.
She added Beximco Pharma’s manufacturing plant has state-of-the-art technologies, world class equipment, and highly trained professionals.
UK High Commissioner in Dhaka Alison Blake after a meeting with Commerce Minister Tofail Ahmed at his Secretariat office on Thursday said her country is keen to increase trade and investment in Bangladesh but they are concerned over security.
Commerce Minister Tofail Ahmed said the UKs exit from European Union (EU) would not affect trade and investment with Bangladesh.
“UK is keen to increase trade and investment in Bangladesh that is why they have come up with an investment proposal for Padma Bridge to Kuakata railway link and Payra port,” he told journalists after a meeting with UK High Commissioner at his Secretariat office.
Tofail said the UK envoy praised Bangladesh’s security measures against terrorism and said “British citizen’s movement to Bangladesh as well as trade and investment would be continued.”
UK is the third largest export destination of Bangladeshi products in Europe.
The UK envoy told the newsmen that the existing bilateral relation between both the countries would be continued after completion of BREXIT.
Terming Bangladesh as good friend, Alison Blake hinted that UK’s trade with the country would boost further.
The high commissioner expressed satisfaction over the security measures taken by Bangladesh against terrorism.
Blake said they are not imposing any restriction on its citizens’ travel to Bangladesh but they are advising them to be cautious.
She said the UK will continue to work with Bangladesh government in tackling the challenges of terrorism which has become common threat globally.
“Our intention is to build a strong partnership. We’ll continue to work with our all friends,” Blake said.
Tofail said the country’s 16 crore people are now united against terrorism and any nation having such unity can overcome any problem.
He said Bangladesh is building 100 economic zones and the UK also wants to invest in those.
Additional secretaries Shuvashish Basu and Zahir Uddin Ahmed were present at the meeting.
