Visiting Indian business delegation on Wednesday expressed their keen interest to work with local entrepreneurs for the development of information technology (IT), education, health and banking sectors in Bangladesh.
"We would like to work with local entrepreneurs for the development of IT, health, education and banking sectors in Bangladesh," President of the Bengal Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BCC&I) Chandra Shekhar Ghosh said at a meeting with the Federation of Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FBCCI) at its conference room.
Mr Ghosh, who is leading the delegation of entrepreneurs from West Bengal, said there are many similarities between Bangladesh and West Bengal in the arenas of culture, environment, food and others.
Bangladesh and India can be mutually benefited from joint collaboration in healthcare, education, IT and banking sectors, he added.
Mr Ghosh, also the managing director and chief executive officer (CEO) of Bandhan Bank Limited, said the two chambers could work together to boost the economies of the two countries.
At the meeting, the Indian entrepreneurs also showed interest to provide technological support for the development of country's health and education sectors through joint ventures.
FBCCI President Md Shafiul Islam (Mohiuddin) said that bilateral relations between Bangladesh and India have reached a new height.
He said Bangladesh is now one of the fastest growing economies and has qualified for graduation from LDC status.
"Bangladesh can be a valuable development partner of India," he added.
He also requested the BCC&I to come up with specific proposals related to joint collaboration in various sectors.
Senior vice-president of FBCCI Sheikh Fazle Fahim, who moderated the discussion, emphasised the need for knowledge transfer and technology transfer to strengthen the existing trade relation.
Bangladesh mainly exports jute and jute goods, woven garments, agricultural products, engineering products, and knitwear etc to India and imports textiles and textile articles, vegetable products, machinery and mechanical appliance electrical equipment, and chemical and allied products from that country.
Bangladesh exported goods to India amounting to US$ 672.40 million and imported items worth $6162.20 million in the fiscal year 2016-17.
Directors and members of FBCCI took part in the discussion.
On Tuesday, the Indian business team also held a meeting with the Dhaka Chamber of Commerce and Industry (DCCI) where its president Abul Kasem Khan urged them to invest in Bangladesh.
He also urged them to help remove the barriers hampering the bilateral trade between the two countries.
Senior vice-president of DCCI Kamrul Islam and its directors Hossain A Sikder, Md Al Amin, Mohammad Bahsiruddin, SM Zillur Rahman and secretary general AHM Rezaul Kabir were present.
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