EBF wants to promote local exports to European states
Tuesday, 28 October 2008
FE Report
Visiting leaders of European Bangladesh Federation of Commerce and Industry (EBF) said Monday that they wanted to promote Bangladesh's export to the European nations by concentrating on key markets and enhancing distribution networks.
They also said they will explore investment opportunities in Bangladesh and foster a better understanding of the regulatory frameworks between the member states of European Union (EU) and Bangladesh.
The EBF, a newly formed trade body comprising of mainly expatriate Bangladeshi businessmen in European countries, said this at an exchange of views meeting with the FBCCI leaders Monday.
The chamber wants to give support and promote various business activities, which are now in progress.
First Vice president of Federation of Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FBCCI) Abul Kashem Ahmed presided over the meeting, held at the conference room of the apex trade body's city office.
Addressing the meeting, Fred Oldenhuizing, a team member, said we might help Bangladesh in setting up joint venture companies in different sectors.
He said: "Technology transfer is an important issue for development of export and Bangladesh is now enjoying it in its ship building industries,"
Team leader Wali Tasar Uddin said his organisation wants to work together with the FBCCI to give a boost to Bangladesh's exports.
He also said "Right this time in European markets, we need a unified voice, I think our organisation will achieve that goal and help the country in different potential fields."
He also said: "We will work for branding Bangladeshi products in European markets" adding his trade body will establish its offices in at least all 20 out of 27-EU member states within the next one year to enhance cooperation and disseminate information regarding Bangladesh.
He also said: "We are looking forward to developing more business to business links between the EU and Bangladesh."
Addressing the meeting, FBCCI first vice president Abul Kashem Ahmed said there are good prospects for technical and marketing collaboration in several sectors like fish processing and fish hatcheries, food and vegetable processing, dairy farming and dairy product.
"Light engineering, ceramic, cement and service sectors like education and health care also need technical and marketing collaboration," he added.
Kashem said Bangladesh government welcomes investments for the developments of service sectors like port facilities, hospitals, insurance and industrial parks.
Manzur Ahmed, adviser to the FBCCI, said EBF has created a new window for Bangladesh to market its products in EU nations.
"I think the EBF might help us to achieve a tremendous business growth in EU nations," Manzur added.
He advocated to the newly formed Brussels-based organisation EBF to open an office in Geneva to tap potentials of the of the world's new economic order.
He also said EBF might explore potentials created under mode 4 of the World Trade Organisation.
High officials of the EBF including Sanawar Chowdhury, Nurul Islam, Ron Huisma, Enam Ali, Aziz ur Rahman were present at the meeting.
Bangladesh has trade surplus with the EU nations, Bangladesh exports to EU nations was worth US$ 7421.39 million in fiscal year 2007-08 while imports $1769.57 million.
Visiting leaders of European Bangladesh Federation of Commerce and Industry (EBF) said Monday that they wanted to promote Bangladesh's export to the European nations by concentrating on key markets and enhancing distribution networks.
They also said they will explore investment opportunities in Bangladesh and foster a better understanding of the regulatory frameworks between the member states of European Union (EU) and Bangladesh.
The EBF, a newly formed trade body comprising of mainly expatriate Bangladeshi businessmen in European countries, said this at an exchange of views meeting with the FBCCI leaders Monday.
The chamber wants to give support and promote various business activities, which are now in progress.
First Vice president of Federation of Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FBCCI) Abul Kashem Ahmed presided over the meeting, held at the conference room of the apex trade body's city office.
Addressing the meeting, Fred Oldenhuizing, a team member, said we might help Bangladesh in setting up joint venture companies in different sectors.
He said: "Technology transfer is an important issue for development of export and Bangladesh is now enjoying it in its ship building industries,"
Team leader Wali Tasar Uddin said his organisation wants to work together with the FBCCI to give a boost to Bangladesh's exports.
He also said "Right this time in European markets, we need a unified voice, I think our organisation will achieve that goal and help the country in different potential fields."
He also said: "We will work for branding Bangladeshi products in European markets" adding his trade body will establish its offices in at least all 20 out of 27-EU member states within the next one year to enhance cooperation and disseminate information regarding Bangladesh.
He also said: "We are looking forward to developing more business to business links between the EU and Bangladesh."
Addressing the meeting, FBCCI first vice president Abul Kashem Ahmed said there are good prospects for technical and marketing collaboration in several sectors like fish processing and fish hatcheries, food and vegetable processing, dairy farming and dairy product.
"Light engineering, ceramic, cement and service sectors like education and health care also need technical and marketing collaboration," he added.
Kashem said Bangladesh government welcomes investments for the developments of service sectors like port facilities, hospitals, insurance and industrial parks.
Manzur Ahmed, adviser to the FBCCI, said EBF has created a new window for Bangladesh to market its products in EU nations.
"I think the EBF might help us to achieve a tremendous business growth in EU nations," Manzur added.
He advocated to the newly formed Brussels-based organisation EBF to open an office in Geneva to tap potentials of the of the world's new economic order.
He also said EBF might explore potentials created under mode 4 of the World Trade Organisation.
High officials of the EBF including Sanawar Chowdhury, Nurul Islam, Ron Huisma, Enam Ali, Aziz ur Rahman were present at the meeting.
Bangladesh has trade surplus with the EU nations, Bangladesh exports to EU nations was worth US$ 7421.39 million in fiscal year 2007-08 while imports $1769.57 million.