Thailand's businesses want to invest in Bangladesh's potential sectors as part of their move to strengthen the bilateral trade between the two Asian countries.
A visiting Thai business delegation expressed the interest after the local business leaders urged them to invest in the country's potential sectors including backward linkage industry of the readymade garment (RMG) sector and the proposed 100 industrial zones.
The 15-member Thai delegation held separate meetings with the leaders of the Federation of Bangladesh Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FBCCI) and Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA) at the two trade bodies' headquarters in the capital on Monday.
Deputy Executive Director of International Institute for Trade and Development (ITD) of Thailand, Manu Sithiprasasana, is leading the high-powered Thai delegation to Bangladesh.
Briefing the delegation about the fast growing development activities of Bangladesh, FBCCI President Md Shafiul Islam Mohiuddin said they are working with the government to ensure a business-friendly environment in the country.
"But the bilateral trade with Thailand could not yet reach to a satisfactory level," Shafiul Islam said.
He urged the visiting Thai business delegation to invest in the country's potential sectors by taking the advantage of lucrative facilities, including tax holiday, duty-free benefits for export and exemption of corporate tax, offered by Bangladesh.
The Thai investors can avail the opportunity of investing in the proposed 100 Special Economic Zones (SEZ) in the country, said the FBCCI chief.
Terming Bangladesh as an attractive destination for the Thailand's investors, Sithiprasasana said the Thai government is also looking to take the bilateral trade relation to a new height.
Their visit will facilitate to strengthen contact between Thai and Bangladeshi investors and launch joint venture initiatives, he expected.
During the meeting with BGMEA leaders, its Senior Vice President Faruque Hassan underscored the need for increasing regional trade and commerce.
Mohammed Nasir, another Vice President of the BGMEA, requested the delegation for taking measures so that locally-made RMG products get duty-free market access in the Southeast Asian country.
He also called upon the Thai business people to invest in the country's backward linkage industry, especially in manufacturing of synthetic yarn and fabric.
Bangladesh exported goods, including woven garment, knitwear, home textile, engineering products and agricultural items worth $38.14 million to Thailand in fiscal year 2017-18.
On the other hand, its imports stood at $1.19 billion in last fiscal year and the major imported items were plastic and rubber articles, mineral products, textile and textile article.
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