Dhaka Chamber of Commerce and Industry (DCCI) urged the Vietnamese entrepreneurs to invest in Bangladesh for the benefits of the two countries.
The trade body suggested establishing direct flights between Dhaka and Hanoi and simplify business visas for Bangladeshi nationals.
The President of DCCI Shams Mahmud was speaking with the Vietnamese Ambassador to Bangladesh Pham Viet Chien who called on him at the trade body office on Tuesday.
He requested the envoy to sign a memorandum of understanding between the chambers of the two countries and the embassies to facilitate trade and investment between the two friendly countries.
Mr Mahmud also suggested establishing a Vietnam desk in DCCI aiming to facilitate trade between Dhaka and Hanoi.
"If Bangladesh could manage to gain the observer status in the ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations), trade and commerce of Bangladesh with that region will grow manifold," he expressed optimism.
He said textiles, tourism, blue economy, construction, light engineering and leather are some of the potential sectors where Vietnam could invest directly or in the form of joint ventures in Bangladesh.
The envoy underscored the importance of increasing know-how, interactions, business to business match-making, exchange of trade delegations and arranging both-way trade fairs.
The ambassador requested the DCCI president to send a trade delegation to Vietnam.
He said there were many opportunities to expand bilateral trade and investment between the two countries.
"Now we should reap the benefits through a win-win initiative," he mentioned.
The bilateral trade volume between Vietnam and Bangladesh was US$ 742.16 million
in the fiscal year 2019-20.
Out of the amount, Bangladesh exported goods to Vietnam worth only $48.16 million and imported from Vietnam worth $694 million.
DCCI Vice-president Mohammad Bashiruddin, Secretary General (Acting) Afsarul Arifeen and Secretary Md Joynal Abdin were also present during the meeting.
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