Updated on : 04-11-2021

Dhaka Chamber of Commerce and Industry (DCCI)
president Rizwan Rahman today stressed the need for establishing direct sea port connectivity between
Chattogram and Ranong sea ports for boosting existing trade.

He made the call while meeting with Ambassador of Thailand in Dhaka
Makawadee Sumitmor at DCCI in the city, said a press release.

During the meeting, Rizwan Rahman said that the bilateral trade between
Bangladesh and Thailand reached US$837.06 million in 2019-20.

Bangladesh's total export to Thailand was only $35.46 million whereas
import from Thailand was $801.3 million in 2020, he added.

He said export from Bangladesh experienced an upward trend in 2021 as it
reached $39 million from $35.46 million of 2020.

In terms of FDI stock in Bangladesh, Thailand is the 15th largest
investor in this country but there are huge untapped opportunities for Thai
investors especially in the areas of infrastructure, automotive and light
engineering, agro and food processing and tourism and health services, said
Rizwan Rahman.

 He also requested the Ambassador to relocate Thai labour intensive
industries to Bangladesh.

He further said that bilateral Free Trade Agreement (FTA) or
Preferential Trade Agreement (PTA) would facilitate increasing trade and
investment.

 He later urged upon for direct port connectivity between Chattogram and
Ranong sea ports for boosting existing trade.

Makawadee Sumitmor said that still there is a trade gap between these
two friendly countries.

She said that expansion of India-Myanmar-Thailand trilateral route will
boost trade in this region.  

Makawadee Sumitmor also informed that next year Thai Embassy in Dhaka
will organize a road show to celebrate the diplomatic relation of 50 year
between Bangladesh and Thailand.

She also said that as the Covid cases are relatively coming down, Thai
government is planning to open the country step by step and by next two
months it will be possible to open fully.

DCCI Vice President Monowar Hossain was also present during the meeting.

Source: DHAKA, Nov 2, 2021 (BSS)