A second major international conference in less than three years is being organised in Dhaka as part of government efforts to woo shy foreign investors. this time mainly from south and south-east Asia, into taking a greater interest in Bangladesh. And at the core of the agenda will be infrastructure development.

A brighter spotlight will fall on this year’s event, scheduled for November 6-7. as it will follow the first-ever meeting of Bangladesh Aid Group in Dhaka on November 4-5. bringing together a large number of donor representatives and investors almost at the same time at the same venue, the city's lone five-star hotel Sonargaon.

More than 50 top corporate executives from around the world are expected to take part in the investors' meet, which will be managed by the Londonbased Financial Times Conference. and overseen by the Economic Relations Division. gov-

ernment officials said. In January 1995. a similar conference. organised by Euromoney, was held, when the portfolio investors stole the show.

But this time, officials hope to rope in investors for other areas, while still wondering how much the country gained out of the 1995 event.

Infrastructure development and financing are number one on the agenda. Speakers from both government and business will also try to impress potential investors about prospects in areas like energy, telecommunications. port facilities, roads, bridges and capital market. officials said. Opportunities for export-oriented businesses. manufacturing and establishing industrial parks will also be highlighted.

"If there's any basic theme, it is infrastructure development." a senior government official said. "And we are trying to make it at the chief execufive's level. The response is encouraging.'

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina is expected to officiate at a formal opening ceremony November 5 evening, the concluding day of the Aid Group meeting.

World Bank officials here said most Aid Club participants. including the Bank Vice-President who chairs the meeting. will stay on to attend the so-called Investors Forum.

The seminar will present Bangladesh with its opportunities for foreign investors. Finance Minister SAMS Kibria. with a key note speech, will lead government's efforts to portray an investor-friendly image of the country.

The World Bank, which coordinates the annual Aid Group meeting, has promised support to the investors' conference. Its Dhaka office will make presentations at the seminar. Bank officials said.

The World Bank officials here want the government to try to attract Investors from south and south-east Asia. This is the region which offers potential investors for Bangladesh." a Bank official said.

A national organising committee and three sub-committees are working for the seminar. The Bangladesh Chamber of Industries (BCI) is helping at the local level.