Economic Reporter :
Commerce Minister Tofail Ahmed on Wednesday said country’s exporters should be more active for new market to boost export.
“Now, many countries are providing duty and quota free access to Bangladesh that is why we have to expand our market in those countries and buoyant role of exporters is required for it,” he opined.
The minister passed the observation while speaking at a roundtable discussion organised by the Policy Research Institute (PRI) as the chief guest here.
Only pinning upon the European Union (EU) and the United State (US) markets will not be practical for the country rather “we have to move where Bangladeshi products have demand”, he added.
Tofail mentioned the government has set priority to diversify the export basket and expand market as well as increase export earnings in the Seventh Five Year Plant.
Referring to the export earnings goal of US$ 60 billion by 2021, he said:
“There are no alternative of diversifying export basket and expanding market to achieve the target.”
Citing the relaxation of conditions regarding the export of pharmaceuticals by the Least Developed Countries (LDCs) till 2033, the minister said Bangladesh has to utilize this opportunity as it has the capability.
PRI Vice-Chairman Dr Sadiq Ahmed made keynote presentation on the ocassion while its Executive Director Dr Ahsan H Mansur gave welcome speech.
With PRI Chairman Dr Zaidi Sattar in the chair the discussion addressed, among others, by Bangladesh Investment Development Authority Executive Chairman Kazi M Aminul Islam, World Bank Lead Economist and Country Sector Coordinator Dr Zahid Hossain, BGMEA President Siddikur Rahman, Leather Exporters’ representatives Saiful Islam.
