Dhaka Bureau: EU Ambassador to Bangladesh Charles Whiteley and UK High Commissioner Sarah Cook paid a courtesy call on Commerce State Minister Ahsanul Islam Titu.
Today, the Ambassador of the European Union and the High Commissioner of the United Kingdom met separately in the office room of the Ministry.
The Minister of State for Commerce said that Bangladesh is working on export diversification with special importance. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has given instructions to promote the jute and jute products and leather products sectors. Besides, the Prime Minister has declared handicrafts the product of the year 2024. Called on the EU and UK to invest in these sectors. In addition to jute and leather products, pharmaceuticals, especially in the API sector, agroprocessing, seafood, light engineering, health, bicycles, frozen food, and agricultural products, emphasized working in joint ventures for increasing efficiency and capacity and improving quality.
He said that import and export policies are being modernized by removing trade and regulatory barriers to expand trade and foreign investment in the country. Besides, Bangladesh Development Authority (BIDA) is creating a favorable environment for investment in various sectors of the country and providing one-stop service to investors.
Ahsanul Islam Titu said that the Dhaka International Trade Fair started on January 21. This year, there is a plan to visit the fair with the heads of all missions and trade and commercial councilors located in Bangladesh. Mentioning that this fair is the biggest event for the display of products produced in the country, he said that there are many foreign pavilions here as well. He also said that branding Bangladeshi products will be possible through the visit of the mission officials to the fair.
The Minister of State for Commerce said that Bangladesh has become known as a good place for investment in the world by calling for the production of those products that are imported by Bangladesh from the EU and UK through contract manufacturing in Bangladesh. Many governments are investing in 100 designated economic zones. Apart from the economic zones, all kinds of facilities will be provided by the government for the establishment of industrial factories, he said.
During the meeting, the Minister of State for Commerce sought the cooperation of the European Union and the United Kingdom for the necessary support for the position of the less developed countries, including Bangladesh, in the ministerial conference organized by the World Trade Organization in Abu Dhabi on February 26–29.
High Commissioner Sarah Cook said that the United Kingdom is a long-standing friend of Bangladesh. Presently, both countries have excellent relations. In addition to development cooperation, he also emphasized partnership in terms of economic and trade cooperation. In order to create skilled manpower, the High Commissioner expressed his determination to work jointly in the certification and accreditation of professional sectors, including doctors, nurses, engineers in higher education, and the health sector.
In addition, Sarah Cook emphasized the removal of regulatory barriers, simplification of service processes, enforcement and protection of intellectual property, and liberalization of competition in Bangladesh.
EU Ambassador Charles Whiteley expressed interest in investment in various sectors, including the pharmaceutical and IT sectors, citing the facilities provided by the Bangladesh government for foreign investment.
Meanwhile, Commerce Ministry Senior Secretary Tapan Kanti Ghosh and senior officials were present.
