Move to raise exports to African countries

The government in association with private businesses has taken a move to raise exports to African countries, officials have said.

With this end in view the Export Promotion Bureau (EPB) has set a target to increase exports to Africa to 10 per cent from the existing 1.0 per cent of the total volume of exports within the next three years.

A business mission comprising EPB officials and private entrepreneurs recently visited South Africa, Mozambique and Zambia aiming to explore markets there.

The country is largely dependent on the US and the European Union (EU) markets for the export of goods. It has the potential to expand markets in the African countries.

The country exported products worth US $ 27 billion to different countries during the fiscal year (FY) 2012-13. The shipment of export goods to African countries was less than one per cent of it during the period.

"We need to widen our market base. There is potential to increase our exports to Africa. It is possible to increase exports to African countries to 10 per cent from the existing 1.0 per cent within the next three years," vice-chairman of EPB Shubhashish Bose told the FE.

He said the country could increase export of ready-made garments (RMG), pharmaceuticals, ceramic and plastic products to South Africa, Zambia, Mozambique, Senegal, Ghana, Ivory Coast, Algeria, Morocco and Tunisia.

He said a number of African businessmen had individually visited Bangladesh in the recent past, since they are interested in Bangladeshi products because of the price competitiveness.

He said the businessmen of South Africa, Mozambique and Zambia would visit the country soon to take stock of the local products they could import.

"We will invite them (African businessmen) to visit our country. There will be meetings between local and African businessmen on how to increase the country's exports to African countries," Mr Bose added.