"We are committed to taking investment to Bangladesh...when I say we want to invest, we really mean it," said Ratan Tata, chairman of the corporate house, talking to a group of visiting Bangladeshi journalists here yesterday.

"We have warm feelings for your country," he added.

Talking briefly and exclusively to the Bangladeshi newsmen at the Founder's Day ceremony marking the 166th birth anniversary of Jamshedji Tata, the founder of the Tata Group, Ratan said his company has been seriously studying the proposed projects for Bangladesh.

He said the study would be completed by the end of this month (March) or by April this year. "We are in the process of completing the study."

Ratan Tata said he did not find any problem with investing in Bangladesh. "Our proposals are still there. We just want to take it forward. But if there is any problem outside our control, that's different," said the industrial tycoon.

The world in recent years has witnessed the Tata Group setting its sight on foreign shares, taking over Daewoo automobile plants in South Korea, acquiring a steel plant in Singapore and listing the company with New York Stock Exchange.

The group of industries plans to invest up to US$ 2 billion in Bangladesh in projects covering steel, fertiliser and a power plant.

Ratan Tata had visited Bangladesh last October to discuss the investment proposals with the Bangladesh authorities.