Restoring local investors' confidence vital

Nowadays the government is showing overenthusiasm about foreign direct investment (FDI). Political leaders are trying to attract foreign investors. By running after foreign investments, we may have forgotten to check domestic capital outflow. Every year a lot of cash flow  out of the country. It has been heard that Bangladeshi investors are going to Malaysia, Singapore, and some other countries. It is not just big entrepreneurs, even small ones are going out of the country. Many companies  have already built their permanent residence abroad. What all these Bangladeshi businessmen want is a comfort zone.

Lately, Japan's prime minister visited Bangladesh and expressed optimism about investing here. In order to meet the foreign investment requirements, the government should take immediate steps and prepare policies. The government needs to spend time to develop infrastructure and make a business-friendly environment for domestic and foreign investors. But shouldn't we first ensure local investment and then go for foreign investment?

Murad Hossain
Dipon Gas  Co. Ltd.