DHAKA, Jan 30, 2015 (BSS)- A group of Dutch investors
termed Bangladesh as a land of untapped potential with huge market size
and said Bangladesh is slowly but surely emerging as the gateway to the
South Asia given its geostrategic location with both China and India on
either side of its border. The rise of ASEAN common market makes Bangladesh even more auspicious for the potential investors to consider Bangladesh as their next investment destination, they said while speaking at an investment seminar on "Bangladesh: Opportunities and Best Practices" held at Hague, the Netherlands, on Thursday.
Bangladesh Embassy in Hague hosted the seminar in collaboration with Nyenrode University, the Netherlands.
Over 50 Dutch investors attended the seminar which was moderated by Andre Nijhof of Nyenrode. The Dutch investors who have investments in Bangladesh shared their experience with other participants, according to the information received here today.
Bangladesh Ambassador to the Netherlands Sheikh Mohammed Belal also spoke at the seminar.
Peter Van Bergen, proprietor of Budgetview and Impel IT solutions with big IT offices in Amsterdam and Dhaka and Vicenta Ariza, representative of Maruboshi Europe BV in Bangladesh shared their experience with the participants about the overall business atmosphere in Bangladesh.
Rene Beerepoot of the Netherlands Enterprise Agency (RVO) made a presentation on Dutch assistance for firms to expand their business in Bangladesh.
He said there is a Dutch fund of 750 million Euro for Dutch businesses willing to expand their business in the world's 66 countries including Bangladesh. Dutch SMEs, if approved, could receive low interest loan for up to 10 to 15 million Euro for expansion of business in Bangladesh, he added.
While sharing experience, Peter Van Bergen said he found the commitment of the people of Bangladesh as highly praiseworthy and also he found the level of spoken English very satisfactory.
He said he found working in Bangladesh 'easier' compared to other countries.
Vicenta Ariza said he found 'commitment' and 'enthusiasm' of the people of Bangladesh unparallel. Expressing his plan to stay in Bangladesh at least next 10-15 years, he said despite 'strike' or 'hartal' his shippers in Bangladesh never failed to deliver.
