A Pakistani business delegation and Nigerian High Commissioner met the top leaders of Dhaka Chamber of Commerce & Industry (DCCI).
A Pakistani business delegation led by the President of the Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI) and Nigerian High Commissioner in Bangladesh Ahmed Sule visited Dhaka Chamber of Commerce & Industry (DCCI) for the bilateral meeting.
During the meeting with the Pakistan delegation, the Acting President of DCCI Monowar Hossain said that the bilateral trade between Pakistan and Bangladesh in FY21 was $585.41 million.
He said that the businessmen of both countries should look into reducing the existing trade imbalance. He also underscored the importance of having close liaisons among the business community, regional trade enhancement and joint research and development.
Hossain also stressed on policy reforms, the development of communication infrastructure, and resolving tariff and non-tariff barriers among the D-8 countries.
FPCCI President Irfan Iqbal Sheikh said that by using regional integration we can improve bilateral trade. During the last couple of years, both Bangladesh and Pakistan are becoming regional powers in the ICT industries, especially in software export which is good for both-way trade.
Bangladesh’s world class medicines, apparel, agro-products, jute and jute goods, halal products and ceramics have good prospects in Pakistan, he added. Bangladesh and Pakistan can profit by growing business relations, Sheikh mentioned.
Meanwhile, in a separate meeting, Nigerian High Commissioner in Bangladesh Ahmed Sule said that in FY21 bilateral trade between the two countries was $79.76 million, whereas Bangladesh’s import and export was 71.53 and 8.23 million respectively.
He added that Nigeria is taking various steps to develop “Ease of Doing Index” to attract more FDI.
Sule also said that Bangladesh showed much progress in capacity building of SMEs and Nigerian entrepreneurs can learn from Bangladesh to develop their SMEs.
Ahmed also proposed to organise B2B match-making between the SMEs of Bangladesh and Nigeria. He also informed that, Bangladeshi RMG and Pharmaceutical sector have huge potential in Nigeria.
DCCI’s Acting President Monowar Hossain also urged to establish “Bangladesh-Nigeria Business Council” to explore trade and investment opportunities between the two countries.
Members of the Board of Directors of Dhaka Chamber were present during these meetings.
sajibur@gmail.com