Dhaka Chamber of Commerce and Industry (DCCI) President Rizwan Rahman has urged Iranian investors to import more jute and jute goods from Bangladesh.
The DCCI president made the call at an interactive bilateral meeting with Ambassador of Iran in Dhaka Mansour Chavoshi at the DCCI Gulshan Centre in the city on Tuesday, according to BSS.
During the meeting, Rizwan Rahman said that the bilateral trade between Bangladesh and Iran was US$ 18.74 million in FY 2020-21.
He said Bangladesh and Iran are members of Developing-8 (D-8) and both countries can prioritise increasing intra-D-8 trade and promote stronger cooperation to implement the Preferential Trade Agreement (PTA) among the member countries of the Developing-8 (D-8) encompassing trade, industry, agriculture, technology, science, communications and aviation.
He also urged for exploring the possibilities of direct shipping services between Chittagong or Mongla port and Iran's Chabahar Port.
He suggested forming a joint business forum engaging leading chambers of Bangladesh and Iran to facilitate bilateral commercial partnerships and ensure greater engagement of the private sector.
He requested Iran's importers to import RMG, jute and jute goods, light engineering products, leather goods, tea, pharmaceuticals, ceramic, agro-processed food, electronics goods etc. from Bangladesh.
He also stressed on organising sector-specific dialogues, B2B Meetings and exchanging delegations for trade development.
Mansour Chavoshi said that the exchange of sector-specific business people between Bangladesh and Iran will facilitate interaction and know-how among the private sector of both countries.
The bilateral trade volume is not satisfactory, but there is huge scope to enhance the trade through different potential sectors, he added.
He said both countries may work together in the agriculture sector.
Moreover, he said, chamber-to-chamber relation is more important for boosting trade.
"When we will have more transactions in terms of trade and commerce in future, then a joint business council may be established," he proposed.
DCCI Vice President Monowar Hossain was also present during the meeting.