DHAKA, Jan 25, 2024 (BSS) - Foreign Minister Dr Hasan Mahmud today ruled out any possibility of impact on foreign direct investment (FDI) due to the statements on Dr Muhammad Yunus which are backed by lobbyists.

"Look, there are several lobbyist firms engaged behind some people who are talking on the Dr Yunus issue. Investment will not be impacted if a statement is backed by lobbyists," he told reporters at the foreign ministry here.

The foreign minister said the foreign investment has been coming to Bangladesh and it is increasing while there is no relation between it and the case related to Dr Yunus as "this is simply a legal matter".

He said Dr Yunus has been in the discussion over the last 12 years and Bangladesh still received significant foreign investments.

With due respect to the Nobel laureate, Hasan said, Dr Yunus has been sentenced in a case filed by the aggrieved people.

"The government is not a party to it. It is a decision taken by the court. The government cannot interfere in it," he said.

Earlier, a Dhaka court sentenced Dr Yunus and three top officials of Grameen Telecom to six months' jail, with fine of Tk 25000 each, in a case over violation of labor law.

They were accused of not regularizing some workers and employees of Grameen Telecom, not encashing public leave, and not depositing certain dividends to the Workers Welfare Foundation.