The New Nation - Internet Edition

UNB, Dhaka

Bangladeshi-origin Michigan State Senator Hansen Clarke said American investors would not like to be interested in investing in Bangladesh until a stable democracy and elected government with honest and efficient people are in state affairs.

"It needs stable democracy and a government with honest and efficient people to be elected through free and fair election… This would be the first step to attract investors from the USA or Michigan," he told some select journalists at Hotel Sheraton here this Wednesday evening.

Clarke, who is here in connection with the Non-Resident Bangladeshis (NRB) conference, had talks with the Chief Advisor, officials of the caretaker government and leaders of the business community.

"From the talks I draw a conclusion that the governments in the past have not helped development, rather hindered the growth of development," he said.

Clarke, whose ancestors are from Bianibazar of Sylhet, said because of the past experience Bangladesh needs free and fair elections to elect the politicians who would not serve themselves but the people of the country.

He said the Non-Resident Bangladeshis can play a great role in encouraging the qualified candidates to contest the elections scheduled to be held before the end of December.

In reply to a question, Clarke, elected to Michigan State Senate

twice in 2002 and 2006, said if law of this country allowed, some NRBs might be interested in serving their home country with their expertise.

He said a lot of expatriate Bangladeshis would be interested to come back to their homeland and make their contribution to developing the nation if the situation improves.

Asked about investment, Clarke said he would go back to Michigan and talk to chamber leaders in the US State to make investment in Bangladesh. But he hastened to add that a businessman decides to invest in a country when he gets assured that his money is going to get good returns.

About the trade bill pending with the Congress seeking to provide trade facilities for Bangladeshi export products, he said they would try to mobilize support to get the bill through both the Houses of the US parliament-Congress and Senate.

The Senator had meetings with the Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce and Dhaka Stock Exchange authorities. He said Michigan investors may be interested in investing in energy, agriculture, banking and financial sectors.

Clarke is also members of Cornel University Council and Michigan Law Revision Commission.]

His father Mozaffar Ali Hashem migrated to the USA in 1930s and died when Clarke was only eight years old in Detroit.

Asked about legalizing undocumented Bangladeshis in the United States and in Michigan State, Clarke said this is a problem and he personally discussing with the US authorities the migration issues.

There are about 25,000 Bangladeshi Americans living in Michigan.

Ehsan Taqbeem, president of Bangladesh-American Public Affairs Committee (BAPAC), said one of the problems Bangladesh facing is the image crisis and they would be working to improve that.