UNB: Indian companies have shown keen interest to invest in Bangladesh in the areas of energy, healthcare and education. They observed that Bangladesh’s market size is gradually becoming larger and the connectivity between the two neighbours is getting stronger. Chairman and Managing Director of West Bengal’s Desun Hospital Sajal Dutta said they are looking for land in four places – Dhaka, Chattogram, Sylhet and Khulna – for establishing specialised hospitals of cardiac, cancer, neurology and gastro.
“Our target is to establish the hospitals in five years and the investment of Tk1,000 crore,” he said at a press conference organised by the Indian Chamber of Commerce (ICC) at Hotel Pan Pacific Sonargaon Dhaka yesterday. ICC Director General Dr Rajeev Singh led a delegation of 85 Indian companies to Bangladesh for the India-Bangladesh Business Leaders’ Meet where the Indian and Bangladeshi businesses discussed business opportunities. According to the Indian government data, annually some 2.5 million Bangladeshis go to India for healthcare. According to an ICC handout, the healthcare market in Bangladesh is projected to be $14 billion this year, making it a huge opportunity for the Indian healthcare sector. Sajal Dutta said India provides high-quality healthcare service, while Bangladeshis have a high demand for this. On the other hand, many Indian students also study medicine in Bangladesh.
“Thus, there is a huge scope of collaboration between the two countries in this sector.” Prashant Sharma, managing director at the Charnock Hospital, said Bangladesh can focus on nursing education as the profession is in high demand globally.