Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina yesterday invited Indian investors to park their funds in Bangladesh's seven sectors -- including infrastructure, power, manufacturing and food processing -- and assured them of all benefits.

Seeking to hard-sell Bangladesh as an attractive investment destination, Hasina told the India-Bangladesh Business Forum that the Indian investors would also be able to enjoy duty-free benefits extended to her country by China, South Korea, Malaysia, Thailand and Chile.

Bangladesh enjoys General System of Preferences facility from 38 countries, including the European Union, Japan, Australia and Canada, and not least, a large domestic market of 160 million people, she said at the gathering held at the Taj Palace Hotel.

The country's infrastructure sector needs $20 billion of investment by 2030. At present, there are big infrastructural development projects like the Padma multipurpose bridge and Rooppur nuclear power plant on going.

Hasina said Indian investment would be secure under the bilateral investment protection agreement.

Besides, Bangladesh provides attractive packages, such as 100 percent repatriation of profit and invested capital, to foreign investors. She said her government is setting up special economic zones in Mongla, Bheramara and Mirshorai dedicated for Indian investors.

“We will provide you backward and forward linkages to your businesses. I will ensure that Indian investors get opportunities and all benefits in Bangladesh,” Hasina said.

Bangladesh is making significant socio-economic progress, and is on track to becoming a middle-income country by 2021 and a developed one by 2041.

Hasina went on to list the key development indices of the Bangladesh economy, saying it achieved over 7.1 percent GDP growth last year. By 2020, the GDP growth is expected to hit 8 percent.  The per capita income in Bangladesh has gone up to $1,466 and the foreign exchange reserve currently stands at over $30 billion.

“The Indian business community can take full advantage of Bangladesh's steady economic growth, high demographic dividend, competitive business cost and large consumer base.”

She said a one-stop service act is being finalised to facilitate foreign investors.