Staff Correspondent
Posts and Telecommunications and Information Technology Adviser Md Nahid Islam 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 US Charge d'Affaires Helen
LaFave at his office at the Posts and Telecommunications Division in the Secretariat here, said a press
release.
As the US 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 US Embassy commercial counselor John Fay wanted to know about the investment of US companies
Meta, Google, Microsoft, Oracle in Bangladesh, the adviser said the government will welcome any
investment protecting the national interest.
Nahid urged the US 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 US for
its partnership and mutual cooperation in different development sectors here.
He informed the US 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 US Embassy Public Affairs Counselor
Stephen Ibelli were present at the meeting, among others.
