FE Report

Bangladesh can be an ideal production base for shipping goods to the South Asian markets, if bottlenecks like nagging power crisis and feeble transport system are removed, a German businessman said Wednesday.

Peter Clasen, head of the visiting German delegation, said German entrepreneurs are willing to set up manufactur-

ing plants in the country.

"As a production base, Bangladesh will meet the demands of the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) countries," he said at a press conference jointly organised by the German Embassy and Bangladesh-German Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BGCCI) in the capital.

Mr Clasen, who is heading a 15-member business delegation of OAV-German Asia-Pacific Business Association, said Bangladesh's economy is suffering a lot due to power crisis and feeble transport system.

"Regular supply of power and improved infrastructure are the keys to foster economic growth and Bangladesh has to remove these bottlenecks on an urgent basis."

"You need to have ideal business environment. Then you will be able to compete with your competitors," said Mr Clasen, who owns Wilhelm G Clasen Company.

He said the country's policy on power was not 'clear-cut,' as no concrete attempts were made to generate electricity in the last six or seven years. "Nobody will be interested to invest in Bangladesh if the crisis persists."

Mr Clasen said German businessmen are keen to help Bangladesh in the energy sector especially in harvesting solar energy. "Germans have solutions and technical know-how to help the country solve the power crisis."

Many German firms want to set up manufacturing plants in Bangladesh and the process to set up a plant to manufacture low-cost energy saving bulbs is continuing, the German entrepreneur said.

"The business delegation is here to assess the country's economic situation and will report back home about the priority sectors and business opportunities in Bangladesh."

He said the country's asset is its skilled workforce. "We are planning to give them vocational training. The German education system will also be very helpful."

German Ambassador Holger Michael said the delegation during the meeting with Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina discussed shipbuilding, use of inland waterways, solar energy and many other issues.