Thai businesses seek to invest in BD

FE Desk | May 10, 2018 00:00:00

Kobsak Pootrakool, a minister attached to Thai Prime Minister's office, (centre), Commerce Minister Tofail Ahmed, BIDA Executive Chairman Kazi M Aminul Islam, ICC,B President Mahbubur Rahman and BTCCI President Sajjatuz Jumma seen at a Business Dialogue organised by BTCCI at Dhaka Club recently

Thai entrepreneurs have sought to invest in Bangladesh in different sectors like automobiles, renewable power and energy, electronics equipment, household equipment and infrastructural development.

Kobsak Pootrakool, Minister attached to the Thai Prime Minister's Office, said this at a 'Business Dialogue' between a high-profile Thai delegation and the Bangladesh-Thai Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BTCCI) at Dhaka Club during their recent visit to Bangladesh, says a press statement.

Pootrakool, who led the 32-member delegation, lauded the development of the pharmaceuticals industry and said many industries like Square Pharmaceutical Ltd. are export-oriented and there is huge potential in this sector.

Bangladeshi products have huge potential in Thai market and a large number of Bangladeshi people also buy Thai products, he added.

Speaking at the dialogue, Commerce Minister Tofail Ahmed sought duty-free benefits from Thailand for some products, including garments.

He also said Thailand would be allocated a special economic zone, out of 100 special economic zones, in Bangladesh if Thai entrepreneurs show interest in investing in the country.

Executive Chairman of BIDA Kazi Aminul Islam said Thai entrepreneurs can invest more in labour-intensive industries like readymade garments and pharmaceuticals.

Bangladesh Ambassador to Thailand Saida Muna Tasneem emphasised the need for signing a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) between the two countries and a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on coastal shipping connectivity to boost trade.

Delivering the welcome speech, BTCCI President Sajjatuz Jumma urged Thai Investors to avail themselves of various facilities offered by the investment-friendly government under its liberalised industrial policy and export-oriented, private sector-led growth strategy.

International Chamber of Commerce, Bangladesh (ICC,B) President Mahbubur Rahman, BOI-Thailand Secretary General Duangjai Asawachintachit, Thai Ambassador to Bangladesh Panpimon Suwannapongse, Thai-Bangladesh Business Council President Mingpant Chaya were also present at the dialogue.