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SPEECH OF
K. M. H. SHAHIDUL HAQUE
PRESIDENT, BIAA
IN THE
ND
2 CHINA SOUTH ASIA EXPO
Topic: Investment opportunities in Bangladesh
Bismillahir Rahmanir Rahim
Excellencies, Respected Chairman of the Forum, Moderator, Ladies and
Gentlemen, Good afternoon.
At the beginning of my speech, I would like to express my gratitude on my
personal behalf and on behalf of Bangladesh Indenting Agent Association to
CCPIT, Kunming, Yunnan and SAARC Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the Government
of the PR of China for their continuous efforts for promotion of trade and commerce among the
South Asian countries and hence ensuring a balance Regional Development.
Distinguished Guests and Delegates,
At the advent of globalization, we are now living in a global village and we cannot think of
advancement of the national economy of our country alone without the cooperation of others.
We the South Asian countries must march ahead towards development with a view to reaping
the benefit of globalization by exchanging views, ideas, transferring technology, sharing joint
venture industries among the member countries so that balanced growth is ensured in the
region.
Dear Friends,
Before going to my topic, I would like to take the opportunity to introduce BIAA to this
esteemed Forum. Bangladesh Indenting Agents Association (BIAA) is a national body of the
indenting firms. We have 2500+ member firms who act as agents of the foreign exporters/
companies/suppliers for marketing their products in Bangladesh market.
We look after the benefits of our member firms and we work with the foreign trade bodies for
development of business relationship. It is my pleasure to inform you that we have MOU with
CCPIT, Yunnan, CCPIT, Beijing and very recently we are going to sign MOU with the Legal
Affairs Department of CCPIT, Beijing for establishment of mediation centre to resolve business
disputes out of Court. As China is the major exporting country to Bangladesh, signing of MOU
with other Provinces of PR of China are also under process.
As a Business Support Organization, we are committed to our member firms and to our nation
as well with a motto of bridging business across seven seas.

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Business Dignitaries,
Now I would like to focus on the investment opportunities in Bangladesh. With the dynamic
leadership of our present Government, Bangladesh has been achieving steady economic
growth for decades.. Despite the recent global financial turmoil, Bangladesh retains the growth
of momentum placing the highest emphasis on augmenting investment which is recognized as
the key drive for economic growth of the country. In our economic development vision the
Vision 2021, we raising economic growth rate to 8% by 2013 and 10% in 2015 and
sustaining it till to 2021. Increasing investment is considered as a key variable for attaining
such overall development. Bangladesh offers the most liberal investment climate in South Asia.
Investment in Bangladesh is well protected by law and by practice. Major Laws related to
private investment both foreign and local are;
The Foreign Private Investment (Promotion and Protection) Act of 1980
The Bangladesh Export Processing Zones Authority Act of 1980
The Investment Board Act of 1989
The Companies Act of 1994
The Bangladesh Private Export Processing Zones Authority Act of 1996
The Import Policy Order 2012-2015
Export Policy 2012-2015
The Industrial Policy 2010
Policy and Strategy for Public-Private Partnership (PPP), 2010
Special Economic Zones Act of 2010

Foreign Private Investment Promotion & Protection Act 1980 includes guarantee of fair and
equitable treatment along with protection against expropriation and nationalization to foreign
private investment. Such national treatment is also provided in Bilateral Investment Treaties
(BIT) for promotion and protection of foreign investment.
By now, we have BITs with 29 countries and negotiation is going on to sign BIT with some
other Asian and European countries.
In addition as a member of World Association of Investment Promotion Agencies (WAIPA),
Bangladesh is a signatory to Multilateral Investment Guarantee Agency (MIGA), Overseas
Private Investment Corporation (OPIC) of USA, International Centre for Settlement of
Investment Dispute (ICSID) and a member of the World Intellectual Property Organization

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(WIPO), Bangladesh ensures adequate protection of IPR such as Patents, Design, Trademarks,,
Service marks & Copy right.
Distinguished business dignitaries,
Bangladesh Government under BEPZA Act 1980 operates Export Processing Zone (EPZ) in
Bangladesh with a view to providing a congenial investment climate free from procedural
complication. EPZs are Export oriented industrial enclaves that provide infrastructural facilities,
administrative & Support Services to the investor along with rewarding incentives.
Some of the major incentives and facilities provided by Bangladesh Government are cited here:
Fiscal Incentives:

Tax Holiday for 10 Years

Concessionary Tax for 5 years after completing initial 10 years.

Duty free import of machinery and raw materials

Avoidance of Double Taxation.

All other incentives as provided by BOI

Non-Fiscal Incentives

100% foreign equity allowed

Unrestricted exit policy

Full repatriation facilities of dividend and capital at the event of exit

Import of raw materials allowed on Documentary Acceptance basis.

Intra and Inter-zone export is allowed.

Subcontracting within EPZs permitted.

Infrastructure and Facilities

Fully Serviced Plots

Ready Factory Building

All Types of Utilities

Warehouse and Secured Bonded Area

Business Support Services

Administrative Services

Custom Clearance at Plant Site

Workers Dormitory Enclave

Recreational Amenities

Dear Entrepreneurs,
As China is in the process of restructuring its economy and relocating labour-intensive
industries, I think Bangladesh is their best destination, as it has a massive good quality
and low cost labour force and investment-friendly policy. We request Chinese
entrepreneurs to consider it. China and other South Asian investors can invest in
Bangladesh and their products can be re-exported to their own country and to the rest
of the world as Bangladesh enjoy

Duty-Free Quota-Free access to about 147

countries of the world.

Now, I would like to focus some of the potential sectors to which the foreign investors will find
them convenient for a secured investment and good return as well.
RMG and Backward Linkage:
Electronics & Electrical Appliances/Home Appliances
a. Semi-Conductor
b. Cell Phone Assembly
c. Other Electronics
Information Technology:
a. Data Processing
b. Software Development

Coal-based Industries:
a. Electricity
b. Fertilizer
c. Petro-chemicals & Refrigeration

Fish and Fish processing Industries

Leather:

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a. Finished Leather
b. Leather Goods
Ceramic
a. Tableware
b. Sanitary ware
c. Insulator
Light Engineering:
a. Machinery Parts
b. Consumer Items
Agro-based Industry:
a. Canned Juice / Fruit
b. Dairy and Poultry
c. Agricultural machineries like Power tiller
We believe the foreign investors will come forward for investment which is a winning
combination with its competitive business friendly environment and cost structure that can
give you best return.
Dear Chairperson, Ladies and Gentlemen,
I must thank the Organizers for inviting me and my delegates in this esteemed Exposition for
this presentation on behalf of BIAA. My heartiest thanks go to the Secretariat of China-South
Asia Business Expo for their optimistic initiative they have taken.
I would like to thank you once again for your patient hearing.
Long Live BIAA. Long Live China-South Asia Business Expo., Long live China-Bangladesh
Friendship.

K M H Shahidul Haque,
President