Trade between BD, Thailand to ease with use of Ctg, Ranong ports

Dhaka: State Minister for Commerce Ahasanul Islam Titu on Monday (July 15) said the trade between Bangladesh and Thailand would become easier by using Chattogram and Ranong ports, which will reduce the days of cargo travel.

Being strategic partners in the region, Bangladesh and Thailand cooperate with each other both bilaterally and multilaterally, he added.

The state minister was speaking at a reception organised jointly by Bangladesh Thai Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BTCCI) and the Royal Thai Embassy in Dhaka in honor of Thai Prime Minister's Adviser Dr Nalinee Taveesin on Sunday.

The adviser, who is also Thai Trade Representative, is leading a high profile delegation from Thailand composed of 25 members from different business sectors.

The main purpose of the visit from July 13-17 is to promote bilateral trade and investment between two friendly countries.

During the visit, an effective business to business (B2B) matchmaking was held in Dhaka organized jointly by BTCCI and the Thai Embassy where 120 business contracts were held between the Thai delegates and interested BTCCI members.

The state minister emphasized ways to boost relations with each other in order to nurture the economic diplomacy adopted during the recent visit of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to Thailand and BTCCI is significantly taking the opportunity for playing important roles on this.

Ahasanul Islam called for FTA between the two nations for greater business opportunities.

He added that Thailand is an advanced economy, and is recognised globally as a hub of the Asia-Pacific region due to its impressive creation, innovation and development of versatile products.

In B2B matchmaking, 45 Bangladeshi companies joined for business ties with the visiting Thai delegation. The Advisor to the Prime Minister of Thailand Dr Nalinee Taveesin thanked BTCCI and the Royal Thai Embassy for arranging the event with Bangladeshi companies.

She said the office of the Prime Minister of Thailand would extend its all-out support and cooperation for the growing bilateral and mutual business interest between Bangladesh and Thailand through BTCCI and the Royal Thai Embassy, Dhaka.

BTCCI President Shams Mahmud sought more investment in Bangladesh, saying there is a business friendly-environment in the country.

Welcoming the Thai delegation to Bangladesh, he also emphasized to look for more strategic partnerships and investment opportunities in the future

Makawadee Sumitmor, ambassador of Thailand to Bangladesh; Dr Md Sarwar Bari, executive chairman of BEZA; Md Munir Hossain, senior vice president of BTCCI & vice president of FBCCI; Md Salem Sulaiman, vice president; MA Momen, former president of BTCCI and DCCI; Khemathat Arawathamrong, honorary director; Abul Kasem Khan, director; Shamima Rahman, director admin; Mohammad Junaed Ibna Ali, director finance; and Md Nazmul Hossen ACS, secretary of BTCCI were present among others.

-B