Dhaka: ASEAN Diplomats recently visited ICC Bangladesh and held a meeting with its President Mahbubur Rahman and Vice Presidents A. K. Azad and Naser Ezaz Bijoy.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, ICC Bangladesh President Mahbubur Rahman expressed gratitude to the diplomats for providing the opportunity to discuss the global activities of the International Chamber of Commerce, Paris, and ICC Bangladesh. Rahman highlighted the significant trade gap between Bangladesh and ASEAN, primarily due to minimal exports from Bangladesh, and urged for increased imports from Bangladesh to address this imbalance.
The ICC Bangladesh President also called on ASEAN Diplomats to support Bangladesh’s inclusion in ASEAN and consider establishing a Free Trade Agreement with these countries. He emphasized Bangladesh’s robust economic growth, investment-friendly policies, and opportunities in sectors like textiles, pharmaceuticals, ICT, and energy.
Nguyen Manh Cuong, Chair of the ASEAN Dhaka Committee and Ambassador of Vietnam to Bangladesh, acknowledged the country’s potential to enhance its exports to ASEAN. He highlighted the need for Bangladesh to diversify its product offerings and focus on promoting its goods in ASEAN markets.
The meeting participants underscored the importance of establishing direct air connectivity and coastal shipping routes to boost trade. The Indonesian representative expressed interest in investing in Bangladesh’s solar power sector, and it was suggested that ASEAN countries could also promote tourism and invest in the service sector, particularly in developing skilled manpower to meet global demand.
The meeting included the attendance of diplomats such as Nina P. Cainglet, Ambassador of the Philippines; Haji Haris Bin Haji Othman, High Commissioner of Brunei Darussalam; U Kyaw Soe Moe, Ambassador of Myanmar; Panom Thongprayoon, Minister Counsellor of the Royal Thai Embassy; and representatives from Indonesia. From ICC Bangladesh, key officials like Secretary General Ataur Rahman, General Manager Ajay Bihari Saha, and Deputy General Manager Syeda Shahnewaz Lotika were also present.