Posts and Telecommunications and Information Technology Adviser Md Nahid Islam on Tuesday (Sep 10) said the government will welcome any foreign investment in the country protecting the national interests. "Foreign investment is needed for the development of the new Bangladesh achieved through the student-people uprising. So any investment protecting the national interest will be welcomed," he said. Nahid, also information and broadcasting adviser, said this at a meeting with U.S. Charge d'Affaires Helen LaFave at his office at the Posts and Telecommunications Division in the Secretariat, said a press release.
As the U.S. Charge d'Affaires wanted to know about the change of his (Nahid's) outlook after joining the government as students' representative, the adviser said there was no change in his mindset, but the method of work has changed. "We are working to fulfill the aspirations of the country's people," he added.
About his two ministries, Nahid said the government is thinking about the institutional reforms of the two ministries while process is underway to make proposals accordingly.
About the freedom of the press, especially Cyber Security Act, the information adviser said, "We certainly want to ensure the freedom of the media. In the past years, Bangladesh was at the very bottom of the media freedom index".
Journalists in Bangladesh were harassed in different ways in the past days, Nahid said, adding, "We have seen the farce centering the journalist couple Sagar-Runi murder trial".
The previous government has curtailed media freedom by enacting some laws, especially the Cyber Security Act, he said, adding, "We are working on this law. Our main target is that we will keep no law, which is contradictory to the international human rights laws."
As Helen LaFave wanted to know about the wage board for journalists, Nahid said there is dissatisfaction among the media workers regarding the Wage Board.
Due to lower salaries, youths are losing interest in journalism, he said, adding, therefore, the government is thinking of reforming the Wage Board.
About joint project of Bangladesh and the USA, Nahid said in addition to continuing the ongoing joint projects of the two countries, the government will think about whether new creative projects can be taken.
As U.S. Embassy commercial counselor John Fay wanted to know about the investment of U.S. companies Meta, Google, Microsoft, Oracle in Bangladesh, the adviser said the government will welcome any investment protecting the national interest.
Nahid urged the U.S. Embassy delegation to set up the data center of these companies in Bangladesh instead of India. During the meeting, the advisor termed the USA as a friendly country to Bangladesh and thanked U.S. for its partnership and mutual cooperation in different development sectors here. He informed the U.S. Charge d'Affaires about the current interim government's strong stance against corruption, injustice, irregularities and discrimination.
Posts and Telecommunications Division Secretary Dr Md Mushfiqur Rahman, Information and Communication Technology Secretary Md Shamsul Arefin and U.S. Embassy Public Affairs Counselor Stephen Ibelli were present at the meeting, among others.
