Business leaders in the United Arab Emirates have emphasised the need for Bangladesh to enhance the skills of its youthful workforce to attract greater foreign direct investment (FDI).

They highlighted that equipping young people with the necessary expertise would boost investor confidence and enable the country to maximise its demographic advantage.

The remarks were made on Tuesday at a business forum titled ‘Strengthening Economic Ties Between Abu Dhabi and Bangladesh’, organised by the Abu Dhabi Chamber in Abu Dhabi, UAE.

The event saw the participation of a 29-member Bangladeshi business delegation led by Dhaka Chamber of Commerce and Industry (DCCI) president Taskeen Ahmed, aimed at exploring new business opportunities.

Shamis Ali Al Dhaheri, second vice chairman and managing director of the Abu Dhabi Chamber, highlighted the UAE’s success in expanding investment and attracting foreign direct investment (FDI) through skilled human resource development.

He urged Bangladesh to harness its young workforce by equipping them with the necessary skills to enhance investor confidence.

Al Dhaheri assured full support from the UAE in fostering skill development initiatives for Bangladeshi professionals.

DCCI President Taskeen Ahmed said that, as one of Bangladesh’s largest trade organisations representing the SME sector, DCCI has been working for over six decades to create a favourable business environment for local and foreign investors.

He said that in 2024, Bangladesh’s imports from the UAE totalled $1,352.9 million, while exports to the UAE stood at $402.63 million.

The UAE has already invested $321.67 million in various sectors in Bangladesh, and he invited further investments in renewable energy, infrastructure, logistics, information technology, tourism, and healthcare.

He also encouraged UAE businesses to recruit skilled Bangladeshi professionals in the fields of information technology, textiles, and engineering. Additionally, he urged them to import agricultural products, readymade garments, jute products and pharmaceuticals from Bangladesh.

To strengthen skill development initiatives, he proposed collaboration between the DCCI Business Institute (DBI) and the Abu Dhabi School of Business.

Former DCCI president Rizwan Rahman, in his presentation on Bangladesh’s trade and investment potential, said that while there is significant scope to enhance bilateral trade, it has yet to reach its full potential.

He emphasised the need for increased engagement between entrepreneurs from both countries and invited Abu Dhabi investors to consider Bangladesh’s infrastructure, logistics, land ports, seaports, and sustainable energy sectors.

Following the business forum, a B2B networking session was held with representatives from approximately 35 companies from the Abu Dhabi Chamber.

DCCI senior vice-president Razeev H Chowdhury, vice-president Md Salem Sulaiman and other members of the business delegation were also present at the meeting.