Friday, November 22, 2024

BoI turns into ‘abandoned’ body

Restructuring move stagnant, no meeting in seven months
The Board of Investment, the government’s investment promotion agency, has virtually turned into an ‘abandoned’ organisation for lack of proper attention and serious manpower shortage when investment climate is plagued by the crisis of infrastructures.
The board, headed by the prime minister as its chairman, has not held any meeting to settler pending issues such as restructuring and finalisation of organogram, after the assumption of office by the Awami League-led government, sources in the board said. It held its last meeting in November 2008.
The prime minister’s office, which regulates the activities of the investment board, is yet to take any decision on the strategic plan inclusive of restructuring of the office of the board and an organogram for giving fresh appointment to quality manpower as proposed by a lender-driven organisation and endorsed in principle by the interim government.
The immediate past executive chairman of the board, Kamal Uddin, said he had written to the prime minister’s office for holding a meeting of the board and expressed the hope that ‘the board would be right on track once a new executive chairman is appointed’. Kamal, a secretary, has recently been made office on special duty or OSD euphemistic coinage for dumping posting.
Constituted in 1989, the board is currently being run with about 180 employees while it has only a handful of officers to deal with issues of its mandated function — investment promotion and regulations. The pending organogram, prepared by consultants of Bangladesh Investment Climate Fund, has proposed a manpower size of 230, mostly officers.
‘The BoI’s current performance as an IPA [investment promotion agency] is constrained by a chronic lack of quality staff with the necessary expertise to carry out basic IPA functions,’ noted the strategic plan and proposed appointment of quality manpower from private and pubic sector with higher payments.
A key issue of it is the proposed wing of ‘Invest Bangladesh’, splitting from the regulatory component of the board, to promote investment by pursuing the potential foreign investors to come and visit in Bangladesh.
Sources close to the prime minister’s office said the officials concerned were hesitant in approving the concept of ‘Invest Bangladesh’ of the strategic plan in view of what they felt lavish approach to investment promotion. The strategic plan’s recommendations include ‘identifying high quality commercial office space with modern facilities in an accessible location. Invest Bangladesh division’.
‘The Board of Investment has become an abandoned organisation as nobody cares for us although the country’s investment climate has deteriorates in spite of assumption of office by an elected government,’ a high official of the investment board told New Age.
Asked how to promote investment with problems of infrastructure, the official said the shortage in infrastructures was also an opportunity for Bangladesh to attract both local and foreign investments in infrastructure building, including setting up power plants.
The function of the investment board remains stagnant at a time when investment proposals forwarded by local and foreign investors for setting up new industries marked significant decline during initial months of the present government. During the January-April period this year, the country has received investment proposals worth $398 million, which is less than one-third of the proposals in value during the corresponding period in the past year.
Asked how to increase investments given the constraints, Hossain Khaled, former president of Dhaka Chamber of Commerce and Industry, said, ‘What the government needs to give is the right signal. There is no scarcity of investors’ money but the government must take initiative to attract them by providing necessary incentives and environment of confidence.’

Courtesy of NewAgebd

Related News

Banglalink teams up with Vivo to provide special data deals for youth

Business Desk : dhakamirror.com Banglalink, the country’s innovative digital operator, has partnered with vivo to launch a data offer specifically designed for tech-savvy youth. This collaboration aims to provide more convenient access to various digital services and exclusive content. Aligned with the ‘Youth’s Choice Smartphone’ proposition, Banglalink is offering 18GB of free data with the ... Read more

Emirates adjudged Best Airline in the World at the ULTRAs 2024 Awards

Business Desk : dhakamirror.com Emirates has once again been honored with the title of ‘Best Airline in the World’ at the esteemed ULTRAs 2024 Awards. Recognized by thousands of travelers worldwide, the airline stood out for its outstanding products, innovative services, and exceptional value-for-money experiences. Thierry Aucoc, Emirates Senior Vice President Commercial Operations in Europe ... Read more

Remittance rises in Oct, SOBs log larger share

Business Desk : dhakamirror.com Remittance inflow to Bangladesh increased by more than 21 per cent in October compared with that in the same month in the past year, as expatriates favoured official channels, mainly state-owned banks, following a significant political shift in the country on August 5. Bangladesh Bank data showed that remittance inflows reached ... Read more

Oppo celebrates tenth anniversary in Bangladesh with O Fans festival

Business Desk : dhakamirror.com Emphasising celebration and appreciation, OPPO, a leading global technology brand, is excited to announce its SUPER OFFER as part of the ‘O Fans Festival’ to celebrate its 10th anniversary in Bangladesh. The festival theme, “SUPER OFFER,” highlights unforgettable experiences for its dedicated fans through exclusive prizes and substantial super discounts on ... Read more

Bangladesh Travel and Tourism Council launched

Business Desk : dhakamirror.com A new think tank, Bangladesh Travel and Tourism Council (BTTC), has started its journey in a bid to create a network of professionals and businesses to foster collaboration and knowledge exchange in the local travel, tourism and hospitality sector. The council held its first meeting at a hotel in the capital ... Read more

Ethiopian airlines set to touch Dhaka’s runway

Business Desk : dhakamirror.com Ethiopian Airlines, the largest airline in Africa and part of the Star Alliance, will begin operations in Bangladesh next Sunday with its first flight on the new Addis Ababa-Dhaka route. The airline will provide five direct flights each week, giving Bangladeshi travelers access to over 155 global destinations, including major cities ... Read more

Unilever’s 15th edition of BizMaestros launches Nov 3

Business Desk : dhakamirror.com The 15th edition of BizMaestros-UFLP, the flagship business competition of Unilever Bangladesh, embodying the “Thrill of Real Business”, is all set to begin on November 3. As a leading player in the FMCG sector, Unilever Bangladesh has been at the forefront of skill development initiatives for over six decades, establishing BizMaestros ... Read more

Banglalink introduces affordable 4G Phone in partnership with Symphony

Business Desk : dhakamirror.com Banglalink and Symphony have joined forces to launch the “My First 4G Phone” campaign to make 4G technology more accessible and affordable. Through this campaign, they seek to bridge the digital divide by offering high-quality 4G phones at an unbeatable price, empowering more people to benefit from fast, reliable internet connectivity.The ... Read more

Bashundhara Toiletries introduces “Alora 2in1” Hair & Body Wash: first ever in Bangladesh

Business Desk : dhakamirror.com Bashundhara Toiletries announced the launch of “Alora 2-in-1” Hair and Body Wash, an innovative product designed to simplify your daily care routine. As Bangladesh’s first 2-in-1 solution for both hair and skin, Alora offers a unique blend of premium ingredients that cleanse, nourish, and revitalize. “Alora 2-in-1” is formulated with two ... Read more

350cc Royal Enfield set for Bangladesh launch on October 21

Business Desk : dhakamirror.com Ifad Motors, the manufacturer and sole distributor of Royal Enfield motorcycles in Bangladesh, is gearing up to launch the iconic motorcycle brand in the country on Monday (21 October). Four models will be introduced: Bullet, Meteor, Hunter, and Classic and the bikers will have 12 different colour options at competitive prices ... Read more

Luxury car sales slow to a near-stop

Market players blame economic and political uncertainty Jagaran Chakma Sales of luxury sedans and sport utility vehicles (SUVs) have been almost nil since July this year as customers have reined in spending amid the ongoing economic downturn and sudden political changeover in Bangladesh. According to various market insiders, sales have fallen by about 95 percent ... Read more

realme 12: The Speed Dominator launched

Business Desk : dhakamirror.com realme has unveiled its latest handset, the realme 12, in Bangladesh featuring SUPERVOOC charging, fluid performance and photographic prowess. This new device sets unprecedented standards with the ‘Born for Speed’ philosophy in the mid-range segment, reads a press release. At the core of the realme 12 is the Qualcomm Snapdragon chipset, ... Read more

TECNO mobile Bangladesh wins best retailer award 2024

Business Desk : dhakamirror.com TECNO Mobile Bangladesh has been awarded the title of the best retailer of mobile handsets at the prestigious Bangladesh retail congress . This honour is a testament to our unwavering focus on enhancing consumer satisfaction and convenience. We believe that our consumers are at the heart of our success and are ... Read more

Mastercard hold technology conference 2024

Business Desk : dhakamirror.com Mastercard recently organised the “Mastercard Tech Conference Q4, 2024” at a city hotel in Dhaka, Bangladesh, with participants from various banks and financial institutions. Zakia Sultana and Sohail Alim, Directors at Mastercard, Bangladesh, inaugurated the session. Munish Jairath, Director of Technology Account Management, Vageesh Raghavendra, Manager of Technology Account Management, and ... Read more

Stellar performers in Bangladesh travel, tourism and hospitality are honoured

Business Desk : dhakamirror.com The recognition programme, first of its kind in the country, was organised by the travel and tourism publication the Bangladesh Monitor. The programme is supported by Prime Bank PLC, a private-sector financial institution whose commitment to the industry’s growth is unwavering. Online travel agency BuyTickets, travel technology provider Sabre, and tea ... Read more

Businesses urge steps on law and order

Business Desk : dhakamirror.com Business leaders on Saturday sought better business climate in the country and said that issues like law and order situation, rising interest rates and other macroeconomic challenges must be addressed as these factors have impacted the economy negatively. Speaking at a seminar titled ‘Current state of the economy and outlook of ... Read more

Walton launches solar hybrid IPS

Business Desk : dhakamirror.com Walton Digi-Tech Industries Limited, a sister concern of Walton Group, recently launched solar hybrid Instant Power Supply (IPS) units, which are environment friendly, renewable and affordable as well. The price caps of these IPS units start from a minimum of Tk 79,500 and maximum Tk 465,000, depending on the inverter and ... Read more

Walton to attend in Canton Fair for the fourth time

Business Desk : dhakamirror.com Global electronics brand Walton is set to attend the ‘China Import and Export Fair’, widely known as the Canton Fair, for the fourth time. This prestigious event, recognized as one of the largest trade shows in the world, will see Walton showcase its latest AI-powered electronics and electrical products. The 136th ... Read more

First drone manufacturing factory to be set up in country

Business Desk : dhakamirror.com Bangladeshi company Sky Bees Limited is set to invest US$ 45.95 million to establish an Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV, commonly known as drone) manufacturing industry in the BEPZA Economic Zone (BEPZA EZ). This will be the first factory to manufacture drones in the zones under BEPZA, creating employment opportunities for 55 ... Read more

OPPO A3 now available in Bangladesh

Business Desk : dhakamirror.com In a world where smartphones face constant challenges, OPPO is setting a new benchmark for durability with the launch of the OPPO A3 Series in Bangladesh. Designed as the ultimate durability champion, the OPPO A3 showcases OPPO’s commitment to enduring the rigours of daily life. Built with a robust structure to ... Read more