Editorial
Investment in Chittagong
Remove obstacles to attract more entrepreneurs
It is a matter of concern that many gas based industrial units in greater Chittagong have been waiting for last eight months for gas connection, for which reason they are unable to commence the work. At the same time new local investors are finding the bureaucratic formalities for obtaining relevant papers, often from the capital city of Dhaka, taking a toll on their energy and time. It is therefore not unusual that top business leaders of Chittagong would bemoan that if locals feel their enthusiasm waning fast then how can we ever attract foreign investors to the country? Surely such detrimental factors are standing in the way towards the desired growth of industries in the region.
We believe there is a strong point there when the chambers of commerce leaders said recently that Chittagong could be turned into the industrial hub of the country because of its geographically advantageous location. We believe the statement is sufficiently supplemented by the fact that country's largest seaport is located here to facilitate export of goods and import of raw materials. But to attain that desirable status, certain facilities, for example infrastructure development and providing gas connection, need to be looked into by the authorities concerned. And on top of all, bureaucratic entanglement concerning obtaining permission must be removed or minimised to facilitate rapid industrialisation.
Bangladesh is already reaping the benefits of industrialisation and this fact has been reflected in the export order worth Tk. 30 crore received from foreign buyers at the international trade fair that concluded recently in Dhaka. It is no doubt a commendable accomplishment but we believe we have the potential to do even better. The government has to patronise entrepreneurs with incentives and the relevant departments must act as facilitating agencies to attract both local and foreign investors. The long-felt demand for a one-stop-service for investors should be made a reality at the earliest. While similar trade fairs could be organised more than once in the country at different divisions, greater care should also be taken to improve the quality of our products to compete at the international arena. We do not have any hesitation to say that our missions abroad have a significant role to play in promoting our industrial products and we hope the authorities concerned would give the suggestion a serious contemplation.
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