ICCB delegates meet with Australian trade officials

A delegation of the International Chamber of Commerce Bangladesh met with officials from the Australian Trade and Investment Commission in Sydney and discussed about trade and investment promotion between the two countries.

ICC Bangladesh President Mahbubur Rahman led the delegation during the meeting on September 20, said the chamber in a statement yesterday.

During the meeting discussions were held on promotion of private sector trade and investment in the two countries.

A number of areas, including export of garments, pharmaceuticals and leather products were discussed.

Rahman informed Austrade officials that Bangladesh is going to set up 100 special economic zones and has allowed the private sector to establish SEZs.

He said South Korea has already set up an export processing zone. China, India and Japan are also setting up exclusive zones.

So, Australia can take the advantage of setting up such a zone and avail the facilities extended by Bangladesh, he said. “Besides, there are vast investment opportunities in infrastructure, including energy.”

Kazi Imtiaz Hossain, Bangladesh's high commissioner to Australia, said Bangladesh has the most favourable investment policies.

Liu Bing, general manager for Asia of Austrade, thanked the ICCB delegation and the high commission for visiting the Austrade office and giving them the opportunity to exchange views and discussing areas where Australian companies could explore investment opportunities in Bangladesh.

The ICCB delegates expressed interest to increase cotton imports from Australia for garment industries, set up joint healthcare facilities, and invest in Australia for cotton cultivation to export to Bangladesh.

The meeting was also attended by ICC Bangladesh Vice President Rokia Afzal Rahman, Executive Board Member AK Azad and Md Fazlul Hoque, Secretary General Ataur Rahman as well as Parveen Mahmud, chairman of MIDAS, and Farida Yasmeen, first secretary of the high commission.

Austrade Assistant Director Kavitha Kasynathan, Senior Trade Adviser Abdul Ekram, and trade advisers Joel Smouha and Sam Guedouard were also present.

The ICCB delegation went to Sydney to attend the 10th World Chambers Congress held on September 19-21.