InvestCorp, one of the largest and most diverse alternative investment managers in the world, has showed its interest to invest in Bangladesh’s various sectors for the mutual benefits.
Executive Chairman of InvestCorp Mohammed Bin Mahfoodh Alardhi expressed the keenness when he paid a courtesy call on Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina at her official Ganabhaban residence here this evening.
Since its inception in 1982, the Bahrain-based InvestCorp has made over 175 corporate investments in the U.S., Europe and the Middle East and North Africa regions, with a combined value of approximately $55 billion.
The company has offices in New York City, Bahrain, London, Riyadh, Abu Dhabi, Doha and Singapore.
After the meeting, Prime Minister’s Press Secretary Ihsanul Karim briefed reporters.
Mohammed Alardhi informed the prime minister that his company has so far made investment in U.S., Europe and the Middle East and North Africa regions.
“But, we’re now very much eager to invest in countries like Bangladesh in the region, he said, adding that Bangladesh is a homogeneous country having a huge investment potentiality.
The InvestCorp Executive Chairman highly appreciated Bangladesh’s tremendous socioeconomic development under the visionary and dynamic leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.
In reply, the prime minister said an excellent investment-climate exists in Bangladesh and there are huge opportunities for investment alongside a big market in the country.
Pointing out the success stories of Bangladesh in socioeconomic development, Sheikh Hasina said the main aim of her government is now to develop the country on all fronts.
Highlighting various steps of her government for developing the country, she said Bangladesh is advancing fast to achieve its desired goal due to these measures. “Our strides have made it possible to bring down poverty level to 20 percent and extreme poverty level to 11 percent,” she said.
In this connection, the premier said the government has identified the homeless and landless people in the country. “We’re now working on rehabilitating the homeless and landless people by providing houses and lands to them,” she said.
About education sector development, Sheikh Hasina mentioned that nearly 350 million textbooks are distributed free of cost among 40 million students from primary to secondary levels across the country on the first day of January every year.
When the executive chairman of the InvestCorp raised the issue of jihadi extremism, the prime minister said jihad (fight) should be forged against poverty, the common enemy of the region.
In this regard, Sheikh Hasina said an excellent communal harmony exists in Bangladesh and people of all faiths including Muslims, Hindus, Christians and Buddhists are living here with peace and harmony.
PM’s private industry and investment adviser Salman F Rahman, Executive Chairman of BIDA Kazi M. Aminul Islam and PM’s Principal Secretary Md Nojibur Rahman were present on the occasion.
