Chief Adviser Prof Muhammad Yunus on Tuesday urged Malaysian investors to explore opportunities in Bangladesh, saying the country is opening up with growing market access and expanding business prospects.

"Come to Bangladesh and see for yourself... I welcome you to Bangladesh," he said, adding that the country is fascinating, with a large population, most of whom are young.

Speaking at a programme ‘Trade and Investment Opportunities between Bangladesh and Malaysia’, he said these young people's aspirations are limitless.

Prof Yunus said the interim government has introduced measures to make Bangladesh more business-friendly, pointing out that its past progress fell short of its potential.

He said Bangladesh offers young and creative people not only within Bangladesh but beyond that as many young people are all over the world. “Bangladesh is trying to become business-friendly in every possible way… I found an unlimited prospect in changing Bangladesh.”

“Bangladesh offers young people, creative people,” said Prof Yunus, urging the investors to take advantage of the young Bangladeshi diaspora in many countries.

Referring to young Bangladeshis living abroad, the Chief Adviser said they always have the hunger to do something for Bangladesh.

Chowdhury Ashik Mahmud Bin Harun, Executive Chairman of BIDA and BEZA, began the programme with a presentation in which he described the competitive advantages Bangladesh offers for the investors and the efforts of the Interim Government to remove tariff and non-tariff barriers.

Vivek Sood, Axiata Group CEO and managing director and the primary shareholder of cellular operator Robi, also made a presentation on Axiata on 28 years of growth and partnership shared success in Bangladesh.

Tengku Muhammad Taufik, President and Group CEO of Petroliam Nasional Berhad (Petronas); Amirul Feisal Wan Zahir, Managing Director of Sovereign Wealth Fund Khazanah Nasional; top officials of palm oil companies Sime Darby Plantations, Kuala Lumpur Kepong Berhad (KLK), IOI Corporation, and Felda Global Ventures (FGV); Syed Faisal Albar, Chairman of Proton Holdings Berhad (Proton); and Lim Wee Chai, Executive Chairman of glove manufacturer Top Glove Corporation, were among others present on the occasion.

The business gathering was preceded by the signing of an MoU between the National Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Malaysia (NCCIM) and the Federation of Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FBCCI) on Tuesday in Putrajaya.