Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Saturday inaugurated the "Bangladesh Business Summit 2023" to commemorate the Golden Jubilee of the country's apex business body FBCCI.

She opened the three-day summit as the chief guest at the Bangabandhu International Conference Centre (BICC) in the capital organized by the Federation of Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FBCCI).

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Commerce Ministry and the Bangladesh Investment Development Authority (BIDA) are partnering with the FBCCI for the summit.

Ministers from seven countries including the United Kingdom (UK), the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA), China, Bhutan, the United Arab Emirates, CEOs of 12 multinational companies and more than 200 foreign investors and business leaders from 17 countries of the world are participating in the summit.

Foreign Minister Dr AK Abdul Momen, Minister of Commerce of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia Dr Majeed bin Abdullah Alkussabi, Minister of Industry, Commerce and Employment of Bhutan Karma Dorji, Deputy Director General of the World Trade Organisation Ambassador Xiangchen Zhang, Commerce Minister Tipu Munshi and PM's Private Industries and Investment Adviser Salman Fazlur Rahman spoke at the program.

FBCCI President Md Jashim Uddin gave the address of welcome.

The event is being organised as a part of the FBCCI's 50th founding anniversary celebrations with the aim of creating new opportunities for trade and investment by showcasing the country's economic potential before a global audience.

The summit will highlight the success stories that have set the foundation for Bangladesh's sustainable growth.

This summit will play an important role in tapping Bangladesh's full economic potential, expanding trade and attracting investments.

Business representatives from both home and abroad have paid considerable sums as a registration fee to participate in the event.

Companies like Walmart and Zara have made their presence in Kolkata. Now, the time has come to step into Bangladesh.

 Apart from creating high export potentials, the local consumer market has also been expanded.

The countrywide 100 special economic zones are now more visible than in the past and there is a need to project such capacity as the government has been prioritizing the facilitation of business to move the economy forward.

Some 750 people have already registered for the summit. Apart from this, a number of people will attend the summit without registration.

The summit will showcase dynamic business investment opportunities and improvements to the local business climate while also giving insights on investment priorities of global investors to improve policy-making.

The summit will also facilitate the exchange of success stories and good practices among investors.

There will be three plenary sessions on strategic issues, 13 parallel sessions, business-to-business meets, networking sessions, open house reception and guided tours for international delegates.

The summit will feature the "CNN Experience", which will consist of a series of thought-leadership sessions focusing on the country's business climate, investment opportunities, and future sustainable impetus.

A video presentation was screened on 'what the new Bangladesh is going to be'.