The newly appointed Thai ambassador to Bangladesh Makawadee Sumitmore stressed need for signing Free Trade Agreement (FTA) between Bangladesh and Thailand in a bid to create more business opportunities between two countries.
The envoy expressed the need while exchanging views with members of the Board of Directors of the Bangladesh Thai Chamber of Commerce & Industry (BTCCI) as the chamber leaders paid a courtesy call on him. The Bilateral chamber placed some proposals for enhancing bilateral trade & Investment relationship between Bangladesh and Thailand during the courtesy visit at the Royal Thai Embassy, Dhaka.
BTCCI placed some important issues to the new Thai Envoy like to make easier business policy between the business community, to work jointly for Thai Special Economic Zone in Bangladesh, to include more duty free Bangladeshi products, relocating labor intensive industry in Bangladesh like Woven Textile Industry and some potential industry like Power & Energy, Light Engineering, Electric, Food, Handicrafts and other effective bilateral activities.
The New Thai Envoy assured the business leaders to work on all proposals of BTCCI and also try to augment business between two countries.
The Thai Ambassador emphasized on the ways and means to promote bilateral trade and investment such as making a free trade agreement, development of ports on Thailand’s Andaman coast to shorten sea transport route to Bangladesh, and the possibility to co-organize events to celebrate the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations next year.
She also said that as Bangladesh and Thailand are tested friends and the ethnic historical and cultural ties so there are huge opportunities to do good business between these two ASEAN Countries.
Mohammad Shahjahan Khan, President of BTCCI said that we have lots of scope of cooperation to work jointly in some important sectors like Pharmaceuticals, Jute and Jute goods, Leather, tourism & hospitality, infrastructure, Agro processing, RMG, etc.
"As we have huge trade gap between our countries so we should effort jointly to minimize the trade gap. BTCCI President also emphasized on the increasing export from Bangladesh to Thailand and he requested Thai Officials to initiate for adding new products to import from Bangladesh", he added.
Thai Envoy also said that the investment of someThai big companies in Bangladesh is the proof of Thailand’s interest to consider Bangladesh as an investment destination.
She further emphasized that apart from trading only, now countries should try to establish strategic partnerships. She realized the problems of the connectivity and would try to work on this.
FBCCI Vice President and BTCCI Former President M A Momen stressed upon more cooperation between our two business communities and to do more studies for joint venture especially in Woven Textile Factory, Electronic goods, Foods, various services etc.
Engr. Rashed Maksud Khan, Founder President of BTCCI and Former President of DCCI, some of the BTCCI Board of Directors also were also present on the occasion.