US criticises Bangladesh red tape

The United States ambassador to Bangladesh, John Holzman, has sharply criticised excessive bureaucracy in Bangladesh which he said was holding up foreign investment and delaying projects.

His comments came after an American company AES Corporation , which was awarded the biggest ever single power project in Bangladesh, threatened to pull out over a dispute with local authorities.

U.S. investment in the country stands at over seven hundred million dollars but Mr Holzman said if projects are completed on time, investment would rise to two billion dollars within a few years.

He also urged Bangladesh to allow gas exports to neighbouring India.

From the newsroom of the BBC World Service