Economic Reporter :
Bangladeshi and Thai businesses are working together to reduce the $600 million trade gap between the two countries, said Sajjatuz Jumma, president of Bangladesh Thai Chamber of Commerce and Industry, at a press conference on Monday for the upcoming Thailand Week-2017 which will set to begin from tomorrow (Wednesday) aiming to help expand trade relations between two countries.
The value of trade between Bangladesh and Thailand last year was close to $800 million, with imports from Thailand accounting for more than 90 percent of this amount.
“In order to expand the market for Bangladeshi products in Thailand, Bangladesh is organising the Bangladesh Trade and Investment Expo in Thailand every year,” Jumma said.
“The Joint Trade Committee is also working on it,” he said.
He added that Bangladesh wants to propose a fresh list of products to seek duty-free, quota-free facilities from Thailand at the upcoming meeting of the Joint Trade Committee, which he said will help to reduce the huge trade gap.
Currently, Bangladesh exports only 10 products to Thailand with DFQF facility.
Minister Counsellor (Commercial) of Thai Embassy in Dhaka Suebsak Dangboonrueng said, “We have asked our investors to invest in Bangladesh as the business atmosphere in the country is favourable and improving.”
The Thai government is interested to invest in a renewable energy unit, he said.
The Thai Commerce Ministry’s Department of International Trade Promotion (DITP), the Thai government and the Thai embassy in Dhaka are jointly organising Thailand Week from March 22-25 at the city’s Pan Pacific Sonargaon Hotel.
However, Commerce Minister Tofail Ahmed will inaugurate the trade show titled
“Thailand Week 2017” on Wednesday morning in city’s Sonargaon hotel. Ministry of Commerce, Department of International Trade Promotion (DITP), Royal Thai Government and Royal Thai Embassy in Dhaka are jointly hosting the event in two phases.
