State Minister for commerce Ahsanul Islam Titu on Monday apprised EU Ambassador to Bangladesh Charles Whiteley and UK High Commissioner Sarah Cook on various government initiatives for export diversification.
He said the government is working at various levels with special emphasis for export diversification of jute, jute goods and leather products among others.
He said the Prime Minister has declared handicrafts as the product of the year 2024. The state minister for commerce called on EU and UK to invest in these priority sectors.
He said apart from jute and leather products, pharmaceuticals especially in API sector, agro processing, sea food, light engineering, health, bicycle, frozen food, agricultural products are high on export diversification.
He emphasized on working in joint ventures for increasing efficiency and capacity and improving quality in those sectors.
He said import and export policies have been modernized by removing trade and regulatory barriers on trade and foreign investment. Besides, Bangladesh Development Authority (BIDA) is creating a favorable environment for investment in various sectors and providing one-stop service to investors.
Stating that the Dhaka International Trade Fair has started from January 21, Ahsanul Islam Titu said this year there is a plan to visit the fair with heads of missions and trade/commercial councilors located in Dhaka.
Mentioning that this fair is the biggest event for showcasing the countrys products, he said many foreign pavilions are also displaying their goods here. He said branding Bangladesh will get momentum through the visit of the mission officials to the fair.
Ahsanul said Bangladesh has become known as a good place for investment and production of import substitute goods which are imported by Bangladesh from EU and UK may be produced here by investment from those countries.
Many governments are investing in 100 designated economic zones and all kinds of support will be provided to investors for establishing industries here.
High Commissioner Sarah Cook said the UK is a long-standing friend of Bangladesh. Presently both the countries have excellent relations. In addition to development cooperation, he also emphasized on partnership in terms of economic and trade cooperation.
In order to create skilled manpower, the High Commissioner expressed her determination to work jointly in the certification and accreditation of professional sectors including doctors, nurses, engineers in higher education, health sector.
Sarah Cook emphasized on removal of regulatory barriers, simplification of service processes, enforcement and protection of intellectual property and liberalization of competition in Bangladesh.
EU Ambassador Charles Whiteley said investment in various sectors including pharmaceutical and IT sectors is promising citing the facilities provided by the Bangladesh government for foreign investment are very good.
Senior Secretary of the Commerce Ministry Tapan Kanti Ghosh and other senior officials were present.
