Business stakeholders of the United Arab Emirates said that Bangladesh should focus on its large pool of young people and make them skilled enough so that foreign investors could feel confident about investing in Bangladesh and utilising this young demographic dividend.
They revealed it while speaking on Tuesday at a business forum on 鈥楽trengthening economic ties between Abu Dhabi and Bangladesh鈥� organised by the Abu Dhabi Chamber in Abu Dhabi, UAE.
Dhaka Chamber of Commerce and Industry president Taskeen Ahmed led a 29-member business delegation in the UAE to explore new business opportunities.聽
Shamis Ali Al Dhaheri, second vice-chairman and managing director of the Abu Dhabi chamber, said that the UAE had successfully expanded its investment and attracted foreign investment through the development of skilled human resources.
He also assured that the UAE would provide possible support and cooperation for the skill development of Bangladeshi human resources.
The Dhaka chamber president Taskeen Ahmed said that the DCCI was one of the largest trade organisations in Bangladesh representing the SME sector. For more than six decades, it has worked to develop a favourable business environment for local and foreign trade and investment, he added.
He recommended that for the skill development initiative, both DCCI Business Institute and Abu Dhabi School of Business could work together in the coming days.
He mentioned that, in 2024, Bangladesh鈥檚 imports from the UAE amounted to $1,352.9 million and its exports to the UAE were $402.63 million.
He said that the UAE entrepreneurs had already invested $321.67 million in Bangladesh in various sectors.
He invited UAE investors to invest in Bangladesh鈥檚 renewable energy, infrastructure, logistics, information technology, tourism and healthcare sectors.
He also requested the UAE businesses to hire Bangladeshi workers skilled in information technology, textile and engineering.
He also asked them to import agricultural products, readymade garments, jute products and medicines from Bangladesh.
Businesses from both countries were present at the business forum.
