Absence of Dhaka-Manila direct flight impedes trade

FE Report | Published: February 27, 2015 00:00:00 | Updated: November 30, 2026 06:01:00

Business leaders identified Thursday the absence of direct flight as one of major barriers to boosting trade between Bangladesh and the Philippines.
Trade between the two Asian countries came down from US$ 56.41 million in 2009 to US$ 22.73 million in 2013, the data showed.
The views came at a seminar organised by the newly launched Bangladesh Philippines Chamber of Commerce and Industry in the city.
Commerce Minister Tofail Ahmed was the chief guest while Philippine Ambassador to Bangladesh Vicente Vivencio T. Bandillo presented a key-note speech at the seminar.
The seminar was also addressed, among others, by president of International Chamber of Commerce- Bangladesh Mahbubur Rahman, president of Federation of Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce and Industry Kazi Akram Uddin Ahmed, chairman of MG Madecor Group in Philippines Eduardo Sison, managing director of SGS Bangladesh Ltd Ariel Miranda, BPCCI president Rashed Maksud Khan, and BPCCI director-finance Abul Kasem Khan.
President of DCCI Hossain Khaled made a presentation on "Business Opportunities in Bangladesh" while another presentation on business prospects in Philippine was made by a Philippines embassy official.
The speakers underlined the need for easing some VISA- and tariff-related problems to enhance the trade and business between the two countries of the ASEAN region.
They also laid tress on increasing efficiency and skills in different technical areas including the English language in Bangladesh to exploit opportunities in other countries, facilitating it to achieve the middle-income country status.
In this connection, they also cited about having cooperation from the experts in Philippine, which is moving forward to the vision of an advanced country.
Tofail Ahmed also emphasised on solving the connectivity problem between the two countries to further enhance the bilateral trade relationship.
The commerce minister officially launched the BPCCI and unveiled the first issue of its News Letter at the seminar.
Appreciating the BPCCI, Mr Bandillo said that it will support to exploit bilateral trade potentials between the two countries and take the trade relationship forward.
Citing different affinities and business prospects of the two countries, Mr Rahman said, "Then, why not we harness those business opportunities and develop our trade relationship."
He placed importance on having direct flight connectivity to boost the bilateral trade relationship.
Mr Rahman expressed the hope that the vibrant role of BPCCI will facilitate doubling the trade volume in a few years.
In 2013, Bangladesh's import from the Philippines was US$ 10.18 million while exports amounted to US$ 12.55 million.
Bangladesh is the 66th trading partner, 67th export market and 56th import source of the archipelago nation.
md.ali.du@gmail.com