Thai minister for economic reforms, investment and development Kobsak Pootrakool has expressed interest to invest in infrastructure, energy and other potential sectors of Bangladesh for mutual benefits of the two countries.
Praising Bangladesh's recent economic development, the visiting Thai minister conveyed his government's willingness to strengthen trade ties with Bangladesh and become a development partner of the country.
He expressed the interest at Bangladesh-Thailand Business Dialogue, organised by the Federation of Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FBCCI) at its conference room in the capital on Thursday.
President of FBCCI Md Shafiul Islam (Mohiuddin) welcomed the delegation at the dialogue which was moderated by the senior vice-president of the apex trade body Sheikh Fazle Fahim.
"I hope that Bangladesh is going to be a big economic power within the nearest future," the Thai minister said.
Pootrakool is leading a 35-member delegation which includes businessmen and the secretary general of Board of Investment of Thailand.
During the meeting he expressed his deep interest to invest in the infrastructure, power, energy, healthcare and other sectors.
He stressed the need for setting up a deep sea port in Bangladesh which facilitate more goods imports from Bangladesh and emphasised on establishing road connectivity between the two Asian countries.
FBCCI President Shafiul Islam (Mohiuddin) expressed his thanks and gratitude to Thailand for recognising Bangladesh soon after its War of Liberation in 1971. He briefed the delegation about the fast growing development activities of Bangladesh.
He said though Bangladesh and Thailand have been maintaining an excellent relationship over the years but bilateral trade has not yet increased to a satisfactory level.
Shafiul Islam invited the Thai delegation to invest in potential sectors of this country taking the lucrative offers provided by the government of Bangladesh.
Bangladesh exported goods to Thailand amounting to US $48.57 million and imported products worth $781.60 million in the fiscal year 2016-17.
Bangladesh's main export items to the Southeast Asian country are woven garment, knitwear, engineering products, agricultural products and home textiles. Thailand exports plastics and rubber article, mineral products, textile and textile article and products of the chemical or allied industries to the South Asian country.
Bangladesh's Ambassador to Thailand Saida Muna Tasnim, President of Thai-Bangladesh Business Council Mingpant Chayavichitsilp, Thai Ambassador to Bangladesh Panpimon Skwannapongse, Vice President of FBCCI Md Muntakim Ashraf and its directors, heads of member bodies and the leading industrialists of the country, were present at the dialogue, among others.
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