Dhaka for signing FTA with Manila to boost trade

Bangladesh wants to sign a free trade agreement (FTA) with the Philippines to boost the two-way trade, Commerce Minister Tofail Ahmed said in the capital Tuesday.

Mr Tofail, now in Manila, expressed his desire during the meetings with the leaders of business bodies, a commerce ministry official told BSS.

The minister was scheduled to attend the three-day World Economic Forum on East Asia.

Mr Tofail held meetings with President of the Philippines Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI) Miguel B Varela and President of Confederation of Asia- Pacific Chamber of Commerce and Industries (CACCI) Ambassador Benedicto V Yujuico.

The minister also met Bangladeshi businessmen living in Manila. He invited Filipino businessmen to invest in Bangladesh taking the advantage of an investment-friendly atmosphere now prevailing in the country.

He stressed the need for identifying trade barriers and their removal to help boost Dhaka-Manila trade.