Norway suggests BIDA for ‘one-stop service’

Sidsel Bleken, Norwegian Ambassador in Dhaka, suggested the Bangladesh Investment Development Authority (BIDA) to work on one-stop service in the country.

She said it will be very good if the BIDA manages to work on one-stop service as their experience says it is rather "bureaucratic" and takes "long time" to be able to make investment in Bangladesh.  

The envoy said the land issue is a particular challenge as there is such a scarcity of land in Bangladesh.

"The Economic Zones and the Export Processing Zones are probably good steps. But they need to be developed for companies to make investment there," Bleken told UNB.

Mentioning the Telenor’s investment, she said, "We don't have other companies of the same size (to invest there) but we have couple of companies that are looking for investment with focus on renewable energy and solar power plant."

Telenor owns 55.8 per cent stake in Grameenphone, the biggest Norwegian investor in Bangladesh.

She also said that Norway is willing to help Bangladesh quantify and identify the maritime resources as the government of Bangladesh is giving much importance to exploring maritime resources.

There is a Norwegian-funded project and a brand new research survey vessel will come to the Bay of Bengal in August this year.

The government has already asked the country's businessmen to take steps to explore the huge marine resources.

Suggesting on the development of country’s tourism industry, the envoy put emphasise to provide required facilities for foreign tourists.

Bleken sought steps from the government and private sector in this regard.

"You have some very luxurious hotels but there's nothing more. Tourists are not looking for hotels only. They're looking for many other things," She said.

She said Bangladesh has beautiful handicraft and Jamdani Saree. "This is something you can promote."

However, she expressed satisfaction over the security measures taken by the government for foreigners. "The situation is much, much better that what it was in the past."

The ambassador said the people of Bangladesh are very "friendly and welcoming".