The quantum of the first major investment in Bangladesh by a Middle Eastern country may not be that big, but the very approach of the Group to investment in Bangladesh is noteworthy. They have been robustly appreciative of our investment climate and the incentives that Bangladesh is providing to prospective foreign entrepreneurs have proved to be a clincher. Tata India has serious plans to invest massively in Bangladesh, and now comes the Abu Dhabi group -- one thing leading to another.

The Abu Dhabi investors have proposed to invest in areas like telecom, hospitality and pharmaceuticals. We have a booming telecom market. They have shown keen interest in the energy sector as well. It is obvious that overall their plans are quite in keeping with our needs.

Prime Minister Khaleda Zia has appealed to the UAE investors to come in a big way to Bangladesh. The example set by Abu Dhabi Group should inspire other major investors in the Middle East to come forward.

Already, there are proposals from foreign investors in many areas including development of tourism where local equity participation is possible.

The arrival of Abu Dhabi Group for business is a clear proof of the fact that despite occasional negative publicity that Bangladesh is subject to, the advantages of investing in the country are numerous. It has a vast reservoir of cheap labour, internal market and a reasonable export accessibility overseas. However, it is incumbent on us to make sure that the country offers what the investors are looking forward to: a stable socio-political situation coupled with a dependable and viable infrastructure.