President Zillur Rahman on Wednesday urged the Federal Republic of Germany to invest more in Bangladesh in various promising sectors taking the advantages of lucrative offers put on state by the present government to increase investments.

"German entrepreneurs can invest in Bangladesh considering the investment-friendly atmosphere prevailing in the country," he said when newly appointed German Ambassador Holger Michael presented his credentials to the President at Bangabhaban. During the meeting, the President recalled with deep gratitude the invaluable support of Germany provided to the provisional government of Bangladesh during the war of liberation in 1971.

Germany was the first country in Europe to recognize Bangladesh, he mentioned. Zillur Rahman said Germany might import the world-class items like ceramics, pharmaceuticals, jute goods, home textiles, computer software and recently developed medium-and small-size ships along with apparels from Bangladesh considering competitive prices.

Appreciating the new German envoy the President mentioned that Germany remains the second-largest destination of Bangladesh exports with a steady growth. "Bangladesh exports to Germany were worth some $ 2.17 billion in 2007-08," he said. He said Bangladesh gives importance to strengthening the bilateral relations of the two friendly countries. Welcoming the Ambassador, Zillur Rahman wished him success during his stay in Bangladesh and assured extending his all-out support and cooperation to the envoy in performing his duties.

Describing Germany as one of the biggest development partners of Bangladesh, the President said Germany always comes forward to help in the field of infrastructural and economic development. He recalled Germans' warm hospitality during his visit in 1998 and through the Ambassador invited German Chancellor Angela Merkel to visit Bangladesh at her convenient time.

The new German Ambassador termed the existing relations between Bangladesh and Germany as excellent and hoped that the bilateral ties would further strengthen. Holger Michael highly praised the efforts taken by the government, which came in power through a free, fair and credible election. He mentioned that recently a number of high-level delegations from Germany visited Bangladesh and a parliamentary delegation from Bangladesh visited Germany.

Describing Germany as the biggest customer of Bangladesh in Europe, the diplomat said Germany is going to import a good number of medium-sized ships from Bangladesh. Secretary of the President's Office Mohammad Shafiul Alam, Military Secretary to the President Maj Gen Md Ehtesham Ul Haque and President' s Press Secretary Abdul Awal Howlader, among others, were present on the occasion. On his arrival at Bangabhaban, the German Ambassador was given guard of honor by the President's Guard Regiment.

-New Nation