Fiji shows interest in Bangladeshi pharma products, service sectors
Thursday, 28 June 2007
The government and business leaders of Fiji have shown keen interest in the Bangladeshi pharmaceutical products and service sectors, reports UNB from Canberra.
The interest was shown when Bangladesh High Commissioner to the Fiji Islands Humayun Kabir met Fijian Health Minister Jona B Senilagakali and Fiji Chamber of Commerce and Industry (FCCI) President Swani K Maharaj Wednesday in Suva.
During his discussion with the health minister, the Bangladesh envoy proposed to source Bangladesh as a possible supplier of pharmaceutical products to cater to the demands of Fiji given the high standard and huge capacity of Bangladesh's pharmaceutical sector.
The health minister said that the Fijian government is in the process of diversifying their import market for pharmaceutical products to reduce their overwhelming dependence on the costly market of Australia and New Zealand. They are now focusing on South Asia as a possible source that would also include Bangladesh.
Fiji will soon place an order for bulk purchase of pharmaceutical products worth FJ$200 million (200 million) while other Pacific island states will soon follow the suit. The health minister indicated that a two-way visit by the concerned parties in both the countries would help formalise Bangladesh's inclusion in their drive of procurement of pharmaceuticals products, a release of the Bangladesh mission in Canberra said.
The high commissioner also proposed to help the health sector of Fiji by engaging doctors, paramedics and nurses from Bangladesh. Fiji is now suffering from acute shortage of health professionals. The health minister reciprocated positively to the proposal, and referred to the good services provided by the Bangladeshi doctors already employed in Fiji.
Humayun Kabir, during his discussion with the FCCI president, proposed to energise Bangladesh's trade relations for mutual benefit of both Fiji and Bangladesh. He has requested him to look into the Bangladeshi export products that are of high quality but of very competitive price.
The FCCI president showed particular interest in Bangladeshi pharmaceutical products, ready-made garments and cotton sarees. He also showed interest in having joint venture with Bangladesh, and also in the activities of BRAC and Grameen Bank.
The high commissioner also proposed to increase trade links between the chamber bodies of the two countries through bilateral visits, to which the Chamber president responded positively. He also laid stress on engaging skilled and semi-skilled manpower from Bangladesh to the development efforts of Fiji.
The interest was shown when Bangladesh High Commissioner to the Fiji Islands Humayun Kabir met Fijian Health Minister Jona B Senilagakali and Fiji Chamber of Commerce and Industry (FCCI) President Swani K Maharaj Wednesday in Suva.
During his discussion with the health minister, the Bangladesh envoy proposed to source Bangladesh as a possible supplier of pharmaceutical products to cater to the demands of Fiji given the high standard and huge capacity of Bangladesh's pharmaceutical sector.
The health minister said that the Fijian government is in the process of diversifying their import market for pharmaceutical products to reduce their overwhelming dependence on the costly market of Australia and New Zealand. They are now focusing on South Asia as a possible source that would also include Bangladesh.
Fiji will soon place an order for bulk purchase of pharmaceutical products worth FJ$200 million (200 million) while other Pacific island states will soon follow the suit. The health minister indicated that a two-way visit by the concerned parties in both the countries would help formalise Bangladesh's inclusion in their drive of procurement of pharmaceuticals products, a release of the Bangladesh mission in Canberra said.
The high commissioner also proposed to help the health sector of Fiji by engaging doctors, paramedics and nurses from Bangladesh. Fiji is now suffering from acute shortage of health professionals. The health minister reciprocated positively to the proposal, and referred to the good services provided by the Bangladeshi doctors already employed in Fiji.
Humayun Kabir, during his discussion with the FCCI president, proposed to energise Bangladesh's trade relations for mutual benefit of both Fiji and Bangladesh. He has requested him to look into the Bangladeshi export products that are of high quality but of very competitive price.
The FCCI president showed particular interest in Bangladeshi pharmaceutical products, ready-made garments and cotton sarees. He also showed interest in having joint venture with Bangladesh, and also in the activities of BRAC and Grameen Bank.
The high commissioner also proposed to increase trade links between the chamber bodies of the two countries through bilateral visits, to which the Chamber president responded positively. He also laid stress on engaging skilled and semi-skilled manpower from Bangladesh to the development efforts of Fiji.