Finance Minister M Satfur Rahman Wednesday *ak) that the German entrepreneur* are keen to invest In Bangladesh, terming tt most favourable among the Aslan countries

They are Impressed with Its low InfiaHon rate, the macro-economic stability and financial reform* made tn the last two year* and are eager to expand trade with Bangladesh, he said.

"We are on top of the ladder among the Asian countries in upholding democracy and human right*.' the Finance Minister *ald and added that this Impression about Bangladesh In Germany a* well as

the other European countries has created an opportunity for attracting more foreign investment.

The Minister was briefing newsmen yesterday at the Zia International Airport on hi* return from a week-long visit to Turkey and Germany.

He said Germany is the third largest donor, after Japan and the USA, and also the largest export market for the country. The export earning* of the country from Germany were about 217 million US dollars In 1992-93. almost double the previou* year * earning*, he said

Salfur Rahman said he had very fruitful discussions with the German Minister for Economic Cooperation Carl Dieter Spranger and Chairman of the Parliamentary Committee Prof Uwe Holt.

He said he Informed them about the priority areas of Bangladesh for development and had sought assistance for those areas only along with some substantia] projects. The priority areas, he mentioned, are education, agriculture and poverty alleviation

The Minister also stressed the need for diversion of all the resources to those priority areas, saying that the Western world Itself is facing economic problems which might lead to a decline In the aid flow

"So we have to adopt a more liberalised policy . . . cut down expenses . and make the best use of the resources," he said.

The Finance Minister also Informed that the German Minister has assured him of increased aid for Bangladesh despite Its huge internal expenditures for modernisation and rehabilitation of the former East Germany.

The proposals placed by Bangladesh for aid in certain areas would be discussed for consideration tn the forthcoming annual consultations, to be held In December this year.

Regarding the outcome of the ninth meeting of the Standing Committee for Economic

and Commercial Cooperation (COMCEC) of the Organisation of the Islamic Conference (OIC). he said Bangladesh has proposed for an Islamic common market in the meeting, which was praised by the other Islamic countries. Necessary measures for such a common market would also be taken up for materialising the concept, he said.

Salfur also said another programme Initiated by Bangladesh for food security in the Islamic countries was also discussed in the meeting. Iran took up the matter and will organise a discussion on the issue next year.

The meeting also explored ways to strengthen the OIC and expand the areas of cooperation among the Muslim countries.

The OIC member countries expressed concern at the violation of human rights in Bosnia-Herzegovina and urged the international community to make an end of the situation. Salfur said.

During his visit to Turkey, the Finance Minister met President Suleyman Demirel and Deputy Prime Minister Erdal Inonu. Salfur also expressed optimism about Turkish investment in Bangladesh.

Secretary of the Economic Relations Division (ERD) Lut-fullahll Majid, Dhaka's Economic Minister to Bonn Ahbab Ahmed and the German Ambassador In Dhaka Jurgen Gehl were present during the press briefing.