Bangladesh seeks more Thai investment

FT ONLINE

Bangladesh has sought more investment from Thailand and greater duty- quota-free access to Bangladeshi products in Thai market.

Foreign Minister AH Mahmood Ali raised the issues during a meeting with visiting Thai Minister for Economic Reforms and Investment Dr Kobsak Pootrakoolon on Thursday.

They further discussed the possibility of FTA between Bangladesh and Thailand.

Dr Pootrakool is on a visit to Bangladesh from May 2-4 with a high-powered Thai trade and investment delegation to explore business and investment opportunities in Bangladesh.

The two ministers discussed direct coastal shipping connectivity between Ranong Port of Thailand and Chittagong Port of Bangladesh and road connectivity between Bangladesh and Thailand via Myanmar to meet the bilateral trade volume worth US$ 1.8 billion by 2021.

Highlighting the huge growing market in Bangladesh, the Foreign Minister pointed out that there are huge opportunities to increase trade and investment between the two countries, particularly the textiles, ship building, tourism, energy sector and development of privately owned special economic zones in Bangladesh.

The Foreign Minister also explained the congenial investment atmosphere prevailing in Bangladesh.

Bangladesh’s Ambassador to Thailand Saida Muna Tasneem was also present at the meeting.