ICMAB held Discussion Session on Special Economic Zone: Unlocking Comparative Advantage of Bangladesh

A discussion Session on “Special Economic Zone: Unlocking Comparative Advantage of Bangladesh” was organized by ICMAB as part of its CPD program held on Wednesday, March 08, 2017  at ICMAB Ruhul Quddus Auditorium, ICMA Bhaban, Nilkhet, Dhaka.

Mr. Mohammed Shoheler Rahman Chowdhury, Deputy Secretary, Bangladesh Economic Zones Authority (BEZA), Prime Minister’s Office presented the Key Note Paper as resource person while  Mr. Kazi M. Aminul Islam, Executive Chairman, Bangladesh Investment Development Authority (BIDA) was present as Chief Guest. Mr. Jamal Ahmed Choudhury FCMA President of the Institute delivered the welcome speech. Mr. Arif Khan FCMA, Chairman, Seminar & Conference Committee presided over the Program and Secretary ICMAB Mr. Md. Abdur Rahman Khan FCMA offered the vote of thanks.

The resource person Mr. Mohammed Shoheler Rahman, highlighted on the issues of foreign exchange earnings, FDI, Employment generation, Export growth, Technology transfer, Export diversification, Land acquisition, Public & Private Partnership Economic Zones, Private  Economic Zones, Government Economic Zones, Special Economic Zones, various incentives to the developers and investors, Exemptions of Taxes and duties, full repatriation of Capital and dividend etc. and replied to the number of queries  raised by the participants.

Hon’ble Chief Guest Mr. Kazi M. Aminul Islam in his valuable speech focused on the quality of services issues, One Stop Services to foreign and local investors, co-operation and co-ordination among various ministries and government departments to offer quality services to investors for improving economic development and investment climate in the country. He emphasized on his mission for significant improvement of “Doing Business Index” of Bangladesh and expressed his challenging commitment to bring the index down to double digit from current ranking of 176 out of 190 countries in the World.

He also emphasized on the skill development of human resources for further development of investment in the country. He opined that CMAs can play a wider role in this respect and contribute a lot for the development of the financial health of the people as well as of the country. He urged the qualified CMAs to come forward further to help Bangladesh to achieve its target to make Bangladesh as middle-income country by 2021. He also mentioned that he is very happy to see that many qualified members of this Institute are playing very important role and holding top positions in many national and multinational companies. He assured to provide all out support for further development of the profession.

The past president and Chairman, Seminar and conference committee – Mr. Arif Khan in his speech requested the Chief Guest to look into the issue of engaging qualified accountants  in various sectors of the country. A large number of Associate and Fellow Members and Senior students of the institute participated the program.