A Memorandum of Understanding between the Chittagong Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCCI) and the Australia-Bangladesh Business Forum (ABBF) was signed at the World Trade Center on Saturday .
Chamber President Omar Hazzaz, ABBF President Abdul Ratan Khan, Chamber Directors Anjan Shekhar Das and Mahfuzul Haque Shah, ABBF Director Mohammad Rahman, Grapes Group CEO Nazmul Hasan and Business Development Director Peter Scleparis spoke.
Chamber President Omar Hazzaz said, now is the perfect time to expand trade between Bangladesh and Australia. Bangladesh is now the 35th largest economy in the world. It started with the export of readymade garments, but now various brands of footwear, leather and leather products are also being exported.
Also, various products including electronics products, refrigerators, televisions, laptops, agro products, automobile assembling, home appliances are being manufactured in Bangladesh and exported abroad.
Mentioning that at present, there is a good business environment in Bangladesh. Chittagong will soon become a transhipment hub due to the establishment of Bangabandhu Tunnel, Matarbari deep sea port and various economic zones, he called on Australian businessmen to invest using the geographical advantage of Chittagong and the various infrastructure facilities provided by the Bangladesh government.
ABBF President Abdul Ratan Khan said there are many opportunities to work together with the Chittagong Chamber to expand Australia-Bangladesh trade. The Australian government wants to increase trade relations in Southeast Asia.
Bangladeshi businessmen can take advantage of this opportunity to work with the Australian Federal Government. Next year we are going to organize a 'road show' in Sydney and Melbourne to brand Bangladesh. Chittagong Chamber can participate in this event.
Directors of the chamber Mohammad Adnanul Islam and Mohammad Monir Uddin and ABBF officials were present.
Later MoU was signed between Australia-Bangladesh Business Forum and Chittagong Chamber. Chittagong Chamber President Omar Hazzaz and Australia-Bangladesh Business Forum President Abdul Ratan Khan signed the MoU on behalf of their respective organizations.