DCCI President Taskeen Ahmed stressed the importance of expeditiously signing the Preferential Trade Agreement (PTA) between the two countries to expand bilateral trade and investment.
Taskeen, now visiting Srilanka, was addressing a business dialogue between the visiting delegation of the Dhaka Chamber of Commerce & Industry (DCCI) and the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce was held at the Hilton Colombo Residence Hotel on 17 June 2025.
Sri Lanka's Minister for Industry and Entrepreneurship Development Sunil Handunneththi was the chief guest at the event.
Taskeen said that despite the immense potential of trade and investment between the two SAARC countries, it has not yet reached the desired level, but this potential can be exploited by improving relations between the private sector of the two countries.
He said Sri Lankan entrepreneurs can invest in Bangladesh's logistics infrastructure, tourism, education and health services, construction, renewable energy, agro-processing products and information technology sectors.
The DCCI president also urged the Sri Lankan businesses to import pharmaceuticals, readymade garments, footwear, electronics and jute products from Bangladesh.
Duminda Hulangamuwa, Chairman of Ceylon Chamber of Commerce said that Bangladesh is one of the closest friends of Sri Lanka for many years.
Despite the trade figures between these two friendly SAARC countries does not reflect the real strength of both way trade, but it is high time we move it further.
Terming Bangladeshi people 'pro-business' and the private sector 'very resilient', he said that Sri Lanka will always stay alongside Bangladesh.
Sunil Handunneththi, Minister for Industry and Entrepreneurship Development of Sri Lanka said that this business forum is very timely to achieve not only the commercial benefits but also shared interest of regional progress.
The economic relation of both countries has shown promising bilateral trade and investment but failed to achieve required growth. The potential of bilateral trade is still untapped. Textile, pharmaceuticals, ship-building and digital services are some of the potential sectors for both the investors of Bangladesh and Sri Lanka, he added.
High Commissioner of Bangladesh to Sri Lanka Andalib Elias, High Commissioner of Sri Lanka to Bangladesh Dharmapala Weerakkody and President of Sri Lanka-Bangladesh Business Council Dr. Asanka Ratnayake delivered also spoke on the occasion.
Andalib Elias, High Commissioner of Bangladesh to Sri Lanka said that Sri Lanka is also progressing like Bangladesh rapidly.
He also said that Bangladeshi business people are very enthusiastic and they are keen to collaborate with their Sri Lankan counterparts to elevate the economy into new height.
A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed between Dhaka Chamber and the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce with an aim to expand bilateral trade and investment as well as to strengthen relations between the private sector representatives of both countries.
Dhaka Chamber President Taskeen Ahmed and Ceylon Chamber President Duminda Hulangamuwa signed the MoU on behalf of their respective organizations.
Later, the business delegation members, led by Dhaka Chamber President Taskeen Ahmed, paid a courtesy call on Sri Lanka's Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs and Foreign Employment ArunHemachandra .
DCCI Senior Vice President Razeev H Chowdhury, Vice President Md. Salem Sulaiman, and members of the delegation also attended the meeting.
