The main objective of the government is to diversify the export products and markets to help boost the foreign trade, commerce minister Tofail Ahmed said.
The minister said this while talking to reporters of different media after a meeting with Dutch ambassador Gerben de Jong at his office Tuesday.
"The government has two agenda to boost up country's export sector. One is export products diversification and the Second is exploring new export markets. There is immense possibility to increase export volume by exploring new markets and products diversification, he said.
The new destinations might be the big markets in future. 'Now we have to pay attention to the South America and Africa and the stakeholders have to play a big role in exploring the new markets. It could also be India and China, he said.
He also said restoring confidence among the country's business people would be the first priority of the government.
"We have started a new journey and the country's business interests will get priority in every step," Mr Ahmed said.
"There would be good changes within the next few days and we are expected that the buyers will start coming to the country, Mr Ahmed said.
Responding to a question regarding the Trade and Investment Cooperation Forum Agreement (Ticfa) the commerce minister said, "we have talked to the United States (US) about the issue and will talk further in this connection in April this year.
The commerce minister expressed the hope that export earning target for the current fiscal year will be achieved definitely.
Gerben De Jong, while talking to the media persons at the commerce ministry, said he is hopeful about helping Bangladesh to develop its water management and trade.
Meanwhile, the Bangladesh Tea Association (BTA) placed an 8-point demand before the commerce minister to take necessary steps for implementing those soon.
The demands include 20 per cent supplementary tax on tea import, financial assistance for tea development, labour welfare, reduction of interest on bank credit, gas supply to the Tea Estate in Chittagong and regular power supply to tea estates etc.
Mr Ahmed assured the association of fulfilling the demands and addressing problems to help keep the wheels of the sector moving.
Leaders of the BTA led by its president Mohd. Safwan Choudhury met the commerce minister at his office Tuesday. Former chairperson of BTA Laila Rahman Kabir, Sr. vice president Ardashir Kabir, vice president M. Shah Alam, committee members of the association M Nurul Alam, H.S.M Ziaul Ahsan, and Samad Choudhury were also present, among others.
Commerce Secretary Mahbub Ahmed and other officials of the ministry were present on the occasions.
