Hard for foreign firms to enter Bangladesh: Dutch envoy

Fibre2Fashion: Dutch ambassador in Bangladesh Harry Verweij recently said foreign companies find it extremely tough to set up base in the country. Though efforts were being made to improve the situation, a lot more needed to be done, the ambassador said at a press meet organised by the Diplomatic Correspondents Association of Bangladesh (DCAB) in Dhaka.

Verweij said Bangladesh is one of the low-ranked countries in the World Bank’s ease of doing business index, and foreign companies find it difficult to deal with fraudulence and corruption while setting up businesses there.

He suggested the need to brand the positives and impressive things about Bangladesh to improve the country’s image, according to Bangla media reports.

“The brand Bangladesh must be rejuvenated and upgraded. There is so much positive to tell of this amazing country — economic vibrancy, diversification, productivity, economic growth and warm and welcoming people,” he was quoted as saying.

Lauding the Delta Plan 2100 adopted by Bangladesh, the ambassador said his country is ready to provide technical knowhow and expertise in implementing the plan.