Dhaka, Jan 29 (V7N) —Abu Dhabi Ports Group and Masdar, two major companies in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), on Tuesday rolled out plans to invest in port development, management, logistics and the renewable energy sectors in Bangladesh.
Ahmad Ibrahim Al Mutawa, CEO of Abu Dhabi Ports Group (ADPG), and Fatima Almadhloum Alsuwaidi, head of development and investment, Asia-Pacific Region, Masdar, put forth the investment proposals when they called on Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus at the State Guest House Jamuna.
"Bangladesh is ready for business,” said the chief adviser, appreciating the investment proposals. “Bring your people and set up as many plants as you want."
Abu Dhabi Ports Group is the fourth major port handlers and logistics company after DP World of the UAE, AP Moller Maersk of Denmark, and Red Sea Gateway Terminal of Saudi Arabia to express interest in Bangladesh’s port management in less than a week.
Abu Dhabi Ports Group expressed interest in developing one of the proposed three bay terminals through financing, operating, and maintaining container and multipurpose terminals and facilities under a joint venture with the Chittagong Port Authority.
Group CEO Al Mutawa praised the welcoming attitude of Bangladeshi authorities and hoped its investment would help increase ship movement in Bangladeshi ports.
Renewable energy company Masdar proposed investing $500 million in reclaimed land on the coast to set up a 250-megawatt solar power project, according to the Chief Adviser’s Press Wing.
“We are very supportive of showcasing new ideas to Bangladesh,” Masdar’s regional head of investment, Fatima Almadhloum Alsuwaidi, said.
Abdulla Ali ALHmoudi, UAE ambassador to Bangladesh, Khalilur Rahman, high representative of the chief adviser, and Lamiya Morshed, senior secretary for SDG affairs, were also present on the occasion.
Abdulla Ali Alhmoudi handed an invitation from the Dubai ruler to the chief adviser to attend the World Government Summit in the UAE in February.
END/MSS/AJ
Comment: