Thailand can be an alternative manpower export market for Bangladesh. There is a lot of demand for Bangladeshi workers in tourism, hotel restaurants, food packaging and marketing. Thai investment can be particularly lucrative in agro-processing industries. Bangladeshi Freelancers will get a big opportunity in Thailand.
Beside this, if product branding is done, there is potential to create a huge demand for Bangladeshi products in the country. In particular, Bangladesh has huge opportunities for exports of manufactured garments, leather products and fish.
But Bangladesh is not able to catch this labour market because there is no government to government (G to G) agreement. As a result, Bangladeshi businessmen are conducting business there with the manpower of Myanmar, India and Laos.
Meanwhile, Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina is going to Thailand on Wednesday on a five-day visit. During his visit, five agreements and memoranda of understanding on various issues including defence cooperation are expected to be signed between the two countries.
Sources said that an agreement, three memorandums of understanding and a memorandum of understanding will be signed between the two countries during the visit. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina will hold a bilateral meeting with the Prime Minister of the country during the visit. Before this, she will attend the session of the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (UNSCAP).
This is the first bilateral visit of the Prime Minister of Bangladesh to Thailand after the establishment of diplomatic relations. Thailand recognized Bangladesh as an independent state in October 1972.
Shams Mahmud, President of the Bangladesh-Thai Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BTCCI), told the Daily Observer, "There are many business opportunities for Bangladesh in Thailand. We are now exporting fresh water to Thailand. There is a great opportunity for investment on behalf of Thailand in the blue economy in Bangladesh. There are coaster lines. Because Thailand is the pioneer in extracting resources in Thailand, it can work in the blue economy."
He said, "Bangladesh now exports leather and leather products, pharmaceuticals, marine fish and other animal products, paper and pulp, soap, plastic products and rubber to Thailand.
He said, "Many more Bangladeshi products are in demand in Thailand. If trade facilities are available, those products can also be exported to Thailand. It will benefit both countries in terms of trade and investment."
He said that Thailand has many investments in Bangladesh. Thailand has business opportunities in health, agriculture, ceramics, lubricants, motorcycles, plastics, architectural design and other sectors.
He also said that there is a great opportunity for freelancers in the IT sector. There is an opportunity to export clothing to Thailand by working with Thai designers. The Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with Thailand will reduce the trade deficit.
Shams Mahmud said, "Thailands processing industry is very strong. Many fruits and vegetables are grown in Bangladesh including mangoes. We can further enrich the processing sector with technology from Thailand. We can bring big investment from Thailand in this sector. Thailand will pay the balance of payment first. We will benefit more in the future."
He said, "We did a road show in Thailand. The theme was that Bangladesh will be the business door of Asia. Bangladesh will be the business hub of South Asia. Thailands investment is coming to Bangladesh. Intent for FTA will be signed during the Prime Ministers visit. He also commented that Thailand has the intention to sign the FTA."
According to several senior officials of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Prime Minister will hold a summit meeting with Thai Prime Minister Shretha Thavisin at the Government House in Bangkok on April 26. After the summit, the two countries are expected to sign MoUs on defence, energy cooperation, cooperation in the tourism sector, mutual cooperation on customs, visa exemption agreement for government passport holders and MoUs on free trade.
Finance Minister Abul Hassan Mahmood Ali, Foreign Minister Dr Hasan Mahmud, Prime Ministers Private Industry and Investment Adviser Salman F Rahman, State Minister for Posts, Telecommunication and Information Technology Zunaid Ahmed Palak, State Minister for Commerce Ahsanul Islam Titu are scheduled to go to Thailand as the tour companions of the Prime Minister.
Gayas Uddin, the current president of Thai Bangladesh Community said, "I came to Thailand in 1986. I also came and started a business with a work permit from the government here. And get married here. My son and daughter also study here. Business is very good here. Our manpower is in great demand. We operate our business with manpower from Myanmar and India. Thailand could be an alternative manpower export market for Bangladesh, if the government could sign an agreement with the Thai Government. But the government has not been able to do that."
Community General Secretary Shamsuzzaman Shamim said, "I am the first to start a hot (food restaurant) business in this country. I also came here for a visit and started my first cloth business with a work permit. Later, in 2002, I started this dawat restaurant. About 50/60 workers work here."
He said, "Many youths are now unemployed in our country. The government can send them here if it wants. But it cannot be done because of one class of brokers. Because this vicious circle uses it as a human trafficking route to Malaysia. And because of them getting visa in Thailand is difficult. Due to this, people are not able to come to Thailand easily. Those who come are also going to Malaysia."
Sources said, Bangladesh and Thailand will be able to utilize the immense potential of the tourism sector to achieve mutual benefits through joint activities and exchange of expertise in the areas of human resource development, Buddhist circuit tourism promotion, investment in tourist areas, etc. This cooperation in the tourism industry will create significant economic growth and employment opportunities in both countries.
