Prime Minister Tarique Rahman said cooperation between the government and businesses could bring positive change to Bangladesh’s economy within four to five years.
He made the remarks during a four-hour exchange with private-sector entrepreneurs at the Prime Minister’s Office in Tejgaon on 1 August.
The Bangladesh Investment Development Authority, or BIDA, organised the meeting, Prime Minister’s Deputy Press Secretary Hasan Shiplu said.
Rahman said both the government and business community recognised existing economic problems and that dialogue would continue to address them.
He said the government had held several discussions with business representatives and sector-based forums since taking office less than six months earlier.
The prime minister said some matters raised at earlier meetings had been resolved, while new issues were raised at the latest session.
Participants were told that decisions had been made on 21 of the 28 issues discussed previously, with seven others still under process.
Rahman said the government would meet business representatives again within two to three months.
Discussions covered business expansion, increased foreign investment and conditions for new industrial development.
Entrepreneurs sought easier credit, policy support and assurances of a business-friendly environment.
Business representatives outlined a target of increasing export earnings to $100 billion by 2030.
The government gave an assurance of diplomatic support intended to help expand exports.