A high profile delegation of international investors based in Brussels Thursday praised investment potentialities in Bangladesh, but identified frequent hartal as a major stumbling-block. reports UNB.

The observations were made when a 25-member team, led by Dr M H Battaille. President of International Public Affairs Centre, called on Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina at her office in the morning.

The IPAC delegation, who came here on December 8 and had discussion with several ministers, said frequent shutdowns and political agitation have not only been damaging the prospect of development and investment, but also tarnishing the image of Bangladesh.

They, however, assured the Prime Minister that the IPAC would make up its plan and decide in which sectors it could make investment in Bangladesh.

The Prime Minister told the delegation that Bangladesh is an ideal and prospective place for investment since her government has offered investment package incentives.

IWe have got benefits out of it and we are expecting more foreign investments in the coming years,'' she said.

Hasina said the investment prospect is bright in the areas like hotel, tourism and agrobased industries.

She said the scope of investment has opened up with the commissioning of the Bangabandhu Bridge and urged the IPAC delegation to come up

to invest in these sectors.

The Prime Minister assured that the government would protect the interests of investors and enhance more facilities for them.

She said necessary steps have been taken to improve the infrastructure facilities, ease traffic congestion, improve living condition and enhance civic amenities.

BOI Chairman Farooq Sobhan was present in the meeting.

The IPAC delegation members included Fred Zorbas. Vice-President, ABS Integrated Services of Singapore, Michael Bascle. President Coca Cola. Bangkok. Patrice Couvegnes. Senior Vice-President. Credit Agricole Indosuez of Singapore, representatives of American Management Association. New York. Basic American Industries Indianapolis USA. Genfood. Silverton, South Africa. Great Lakes Chemical Corp West Lafayote. USA. Richard Hall. Senior Vice-President Power International. India. Joseph Chew. Senior Vice-President Singapore, Airlines. Yoshimi Takada of Toyota Tsusho Corporation. Japan. David Humphres of HSBC. London, Subi Saha of Indian Oil Corporation. Koninklijke Bol-swessanen of Netherlands. Takazzumi Kanai. Mitsui Marine and Fire Ins of Japan, Richard Roering. Vice-President Unocal, USA. arid J Kitamura. General Manager. South Asia of Japan. Mitsui Marine and Nicholas JS Mille Managing Director. Southwest Asia. Nestle of Switzerland.