The Asian Development Bank (ADB) Country Director for Bangladesh, Edimon Ginting, expressed admiration for Bangladesh's increasing participation in the global economy and reiterated the ADB's dedication to further fostering this growth. Ginting made these remarks as the chief guest at the Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Dhaka's (MCCI) quarterly luncheon meeting held at its Gulshan office.

Addressing the audience, Ginting highlighted the potential for enhanced investment flows, skills development, and overall capacity building in Bangladesh. He emphasized the importance of a robust competition policy to attract new investments, stressing the significance of human resources development and economic governance.

Acknowledging the role of the ADB in facilitating Bangladesh's progress, Ginting affirmed the lending agency's commitment to supporting sustainable development amidst environmental challenges.

The event, moderated by MCCI Secretary General and CEO Farooq Ahmed, saw participation from prominent figures including former MCCI president Barrister Nihad Kabir, Foreign Investors Chamber of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) president Javed Akhter, Policy Research Institute (PRI) Dr. Zaidi Sattar, and Policy Exchange Bangladesh chairman Dr. Masrur Reaz.

In his remarks, MCCI President Kamran T. Rahman expressed gratitude for the ADB's assistance in areas such as climate resilience, infrastructure development, social protection, job creation, and water and sanitation projects in Bangladesh. He highlighted MCCI's pivotal role as a trade body in partnering with the ADB to cultivate a conducive business environment in the country.

Rahman underscored the synergy between the ADB's expertise and MCCI's understanding, envisioning a collaborative approach to address Bangladesh's business challenges.

An open discussion ensued, covering topics such as the scope for ADB financing in local currency (Taka), the ADB's evolving role in indirect financing, the necessity of ADB funding for social security and quality standards development, and the potential for ADB's involvement in governance and law enforcement capacity building in Bangladesh.

The event concluded with a vote of thanks from MCCI, signaling optimism for future collaborations between the ADB and MCCI in driving Bangladesh's economic growth and prosperity. Representatives from various member firms of MCCI participated in the engaging dialogue, reflecting the collective commitment to advancing Bangladesh's business landscape.

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