bangladesh - bem-symfony-content.s3-eu-west-1.amazonaws.com · bangladesh included in “next 11...
TRANSCRIPT
Bangladesh
Embassy of Denmark, Dhaka1
13. maj 2014
Among seven ”hottest” emerging markets (2008)
J.P.Morgan Named as one of the ”Frontier Five” (2007)
Bangladesh included in “Next 11 countries to watch” (2006)
“The scale and potential for Bangladesh is obvious –
a population of 150m, strong demographics, hard working people and the
early signs of an emerging middle class.”
Ranked 15th most promising country for overseas business in the
medium term (2010)
World Bank Ease of Doing Business Index 2013
Ranked 22nd worldwide in investor protection, 6th overall amongst Low Income countries
& 5th overall in the region, ahead of India
“Bangladesh is a 'rising star' of economic growth and fiscal discipline”
Rob Vos, director of UN Department of Economy and Social Affairs (UN-DESA) (February 16th 2012)
Bangladesh – A Rising Star
Moderate Muslim society
Culturally homogenous society
Democratic developing
economy
Country of ~161 mil. people
Aspirant to secure private
sector growth
An achiever in the social sector
in the last decade
Bangladesh is a moderate Muslim country
Free national election in 2008
Free and fair local election in 2011
Political transition from state of
emergency to elected governance
Building a fragile democracy
…but issues remains
The Opposition boycotted the national
election in January 2014
Ruling Party and the Opposition in
constant disagreement
Disagreements regarding a caretaker
government
Crippling Hartals & Political Violence pre
national elections
Political Developments
Social Development Indicators
Indicators
1. Annual GDP Growth 5.04% in 1992 6.23% in 2012
2. GDP per Capita (in US Dollars) $278 in 1992 $752 in 2012
3. Aid per Capita (in US dollars) $16.17 in 1992 $9.75 in 2011
4. Life expectancy at birth 61.1 years in 1992 70.3 years in 2012
5. Infant Mortality rate (Per 1000 births) 92.0 in 1992 33.1 in 2012
6. Adult Literacy Rate (15 years and older) 35.3% in 1991 57.7% in 2011
7. Mean years of schooling 2.9 in 1990 4.8 in 2012
8. Population below poverty line (1 US dollars a day) 56.6 % in 1992 31.5 % in 2010
9. Undernourishment (% of population) 36% in 1992 16% in 2012
10. Malnutrition, weight for age (% of children under 5
years)
64% in 1992 37% in 2012
5Source: The World Bank & UNDP
• Biggest industrial Catastrophe in Bangladesh
• A symptom of underlying failures in the system
• Several initiatives from both NGO’s, Foreign
Missions, Donor Agencies and National Ministries
• The Alliance
• The Accord
• Initiatives cover building regulations, labour
conditions, workers rights and Policy initiatives,
including trade negotiations
• The conference ‘Post Rana Plaza: A Vision for the
Future’ was held in Copenhagen on the 3rd of April
2014
The Rana Plaza Disaster
• Rana Plaza changed the agenda in Bangladesh
• CSR is now a heavily debated subject
• Everybody has a responsibility to ensure
fundamental human rights
• Governments, manufacturers, buyers and consumers
• And this goes beyond Bangladesh and the RMG
industry
The Game Changer
Many Challenges Remain
8
1. Insufficient Power supply
2. Corruption
3. Insufficient infrastructure
4. Poor management
5. Deficient legal system
6. Lack of skilled workers
7. Developing law & order situation
8. Natural disasters
The Opportunities in Bangladesh
Location:Strategic location of the
country is ideal for global
trades with access to
international sea and air
route
Natural Resources:
Bangladesh is endowed
with abundant supply of
natural gas, water and
fertile land
Human Resources:
A population of 161 million
who are hard working and
intelligent. There is an
abundant supply of young,
disciplined, easily trainable
workforce
The Opportunities in Bangladesh
Social Stability:
Bangladesh is a democracy and mostly a one
race country.
Language:
Although Bengali is the official language,
English is generally used as second language in
the country.
Market Access:
As the country has a huge population of
approximately 161 million, there is a logical
potential of dramatic increase of domestic
consumption with every incremental
improvement in national income
No Trade Barriers:Most Bangladeshi products enjoy complete
duty and quota free access in EU, Japan, USA,
Australia, including most other developed
countries.
Danida Business PartnershipsAim: To Create value for companies and at the same time create overall value for society
• DBP provides opportunities for Danish companies to set up
Joint Ventures with Bangladeshi companies/partners
• Denmark has supported Private Sector Development in
Bangladesh since 2000
• Textile, agriculture, fishery, IT, shipbuilding, energy,
cleantech, manufacturing, food processing etc.
• Focus on creation of employment, technology transfer,
women empowerment, food security, renewable energy and
sustainable growth
• Increased focus on multi-sector Business Projects with green
elements
0
1
2
3
4
IT Cooling Equipment Marine/Fishing Textile Food Medical Other
Active DBP-projects
Trade Council
• GPA – Global Public Affairs
– Bangladesh is still a very authoritative country
– Huge issues with corruption and bureaucracy
– Royal Danish Embassy business cards open doors
– 70% of all our services in Bangladesh is within GPA
14
Trade Council Services
• TC Consulting Services
– Market Evaluations
– Partner/Customer search and contact
– Tariff and Non-tariff barriers identification
– Assistance in making business visits to Bangladesh
– Sourcing/procurement assistance
– Investment identification
– Tailor-made CSR counselling
– FOCS: 1 Hour Consultation or Research Assignment
• TC Support Services
– Export Start Package
– Green Vitus
15
The Danida Business Partnerships and The Trade Council
Commercial Counsellor:
Anette Snedgaard Galskjøt (from 1 August Søren Robenhagen)
Programme Officer - Danida Business Partnerships & Trade
Farah Nayer Zabeen
Senior Commercial Officer - Trade Section
Samina Ahsan Shahrukh
Programme Officer - Danida Business Partnerships
Tasmim Zahid AnwarProgramme Officer - Trade Section
Jalal Khaled
Interns:
Jonas Lundberg Hansen
Rikke Haurvig Nielsen
16
Danish Companies Present in Bangladesh
17
…and many more