Bangladesh News Desk: The first ever Commonwealth Trade & Investment Forum will be held in Dhaka on September 13-14 aiming to explore amazing opportunity for Bangladeshi companies among 56 Commonwealth member states.
This was announced at a press conference in Dhaka on Sunday (June 11).
Salman F Rahman, Private Industry and Investment Adviser to Prime Minister, Md. Shahriar Alam, State Minister for Foreign Affairs, Lord Swire KCMG, Member of the House of Lords of the United Kingdom and Deputy Chairman of the CWEIC; Lokman Hossain Miah, Executive Chairman (Senior Secretary), Bangladesh Investment Development Authority (BIDA); Zillur Hussain MBE, Strategic Advisor, Bangladesh, CWEIC; among others, were present at the press conference organised at a city hotel.
The upcoming Commonwealth Trade & Investment Forum will be organised by Commonwealth Enterprise and Investment Council (CWEIC) in partnership with the Bangladesh Investment Development Authority (BIDA), Ministry of Foreign Affairs and ZI Foundation.
This is the first ever Commonwealth Trade & Investment Forum going to be organised in Bangladesh. Previously the Forum was organised in other member states of Commonwealth, including in the United Kingdom, Singapore, Kenya, Rwanda, Malta.
Speaking at the press conference, Salman F Rahman said ‘‘Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman right after the independence of the country joined in the Commonwealth with the vision of gaining mutual cooperation from the Commonwealth Members.”
“When Bangladesh joined the Commonwealth, the country was in its infant stage struggling with a war-torn economy and a ravaged infrastructure due to the aftermath of the Liberation War. Over time, Bangladesh attained tremendous development on its economic fronts.”
He said Bangladesh is graduating into a middle-income country in 2026 under the dynamic and able leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. “This achievement became possible with immense hard work by the nation, along with support from its development partners like the Commonwealth members. Some of the largest trade partners of Bangladesh are Commonwealth members,’’ he added.
State Minister for Foreign Affairs Md. Shahriar Alam said the Commonwealth Trade and Investment Forum as an important platform to harness trade and investment among the 56 Commonwealth nations and beyond.
“I believe, it will also offer opportunity for businessmen, investors, and entrepreneurs of the Commonwealth to join Bangladesh’s impressive development journey towards a new future,” he said adding “It is also encouraging to know that the “2nd Commonwealth Bangabandhu Green Investment Award” will be conferred by the Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina during the inaugural session of the forum.”
Shahriar said under the visionary leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, over the years, Bangladesh has emerged from an aid-recipient country to an attractive destination for trade and investment.
“It has been recognised as an icon of ‘development miracle’ across the globe. Thanks to pragmatic policies and development initiatives taken by the Awami League Government in navigating the country in right direction,” he added
He further said Commonwealth must address the vulnerabilities of LDCs, LLDCs, SIDS, and countries with special needs, focusing on areas such as the continuation of their trade-related GSPs beyond LDC graduation, private capital flows and flexible financing for green technology transfer.
Lord Swire told the press conference that the Commonwealth is an amazing opportunity for Bangladeshi companies to explore – 56 countries of untapped potential and limitless possibilities.
Lokman Hossain Miah said BIDA is delighted to be an official partner of CITF – happening for the first time in Bangladesh.
“For us, it is a deeply significant and exciting opportunity. It is a strong recognition of our economic progress and future potential, which we have achieved under the visionary and dynamic leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.”
“As the country’s apex investment promotion agency, BIDA will take full advantage of the opportunities that this Forum will create. We will also seamlessly deliver investment services to businesses that are interested to explore opportunities in Bangladesh,’’ added the BIDA Executive Chairman.
Zillur Hussain said the Heads of the States, political and business leaders of the Commonwealth members countries will be attending the Commonwealth Trade & Investment Forum this year in Dhaka.
“So, the Forum will offer a platform for promoting trade, investment, and economic growth. It aims to foster partnerships, promote innovation, and explore avenues for sustainable and inclusive economic development for Bangladesh,” he added.
