Ways of cutting BD-Thai trade gap stressed

Leading businessmen of Bangladesh and Thailand have called for exploring new avenues of trade and business opportunities to reduce the existing trade gap and enhance business relationship between the two countries.
They observed that the countries, having a close distance, can scale up cooperation by exporting products of various sectors, like - jute and pharmaceutical etc, to Thailand, and inviting investment of value chain and technology to Bangladesh.
Thailand can also assist Bangladesh in human resource development, they added.
These observations came during a view-exchange meeting with Bangladesh ambassador designated to Thailand Saida Muna Tasneem at the Dhaka Chamber of Commerce and Industry (DCCI) conference room on Tuesday.
Moderated by Bangladesh-Thailand Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BTCCI) president Sajjaduz Jumma, the meeting was addressed by DCCI president Mohammad Shahjahan Khan and other officials of DCCI and BTCCI.
Officials of Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Thai Embassy in Bangladesh were also present at the meeting.
The meeting disclosed that Bangladesh-Thailand trade gap is wide, with Bangladesh exporting items worth US$40 million to Thailand and importing $394 million up to December of fiscal year 2013-14.
The ambassador lauded the role of private sector in leading the country's economic growth. She said her mission will tap the untapped potentials to enhance economic relationship between the two countries.
She particularly mentioned resuming the joint commission meeting, which remained halted over a decade, involving private sector, and holding foreign office consultation as part of exploring the potentials.
The envoy also observed that institutional linkage and connectivity already exist between the two countries. These could be enhanced apart from exploring scopes of developing relationship with Thailand through tourism and defence cooperation.
Among the DCCI and BTCCI members, Shahidul Islam, MS Siddique, Captain Mohammad Nurul Haq and Nadia binte Amin shared their business experiences.
Ital-Thai Development Corporation managing director Montchai Musicabud also spoke on behalf of the Thai businessmen.
They observed that Bangladesh's potential to move value chains from Thailand has been high. They also recommended exploring fish export opportunity to Thailand through legal basis, as many Thai fishermen are intruding the Bangladesh territory.
The DCCI members also emphasised obtaining help from Thailand for human resource development and technology upgradation.

smunima@yahoo.com