Businesspeople for Saarc common market
Saarc countries should aim for a greater intra-regional cooperation and strive to create a common market such as European Union (EU) to develop a stronger regional economy, business leaders of Bangladesh and India told a meeting here yesterday.
The business leaders, at the meeting between the Federation of Bangladesh Chamber of Commerce and Industry (FBCCI) and the Indian chapter of AmCham, said a regional common market would help all the Saarc countries attain increased growth rates.
FBCCI President Annisul Huq moderated the bilateral meeting.
“AmCham India believes that the Saarc countries should have a common market like the European common market, which will certainly be helpful in economic growth of all the Saarc countries,” Gulshan Suchdev, a senior member of the AmCham delegation, said as he quoted from a written speech of their Chairman KN Memani.
Ramesh Bajpai and other members of AmCham, India, addressed the meeting, as well.
“Some of the smaller economies in Saarc region could be benefited from regional cooperation in energy, water, and minerals as the region, as a whole, lacks in these resources,” Gulshan said.
The members of Indian delegation said their aim is to get an overview of the Bangladesh economy and its growth prospects in the near future.
They assured the Bangladeshi business leaders of growing Indian and American investments in Bangladesh, while appreciating the Bangladesh government's steps for encouraging foreign direct investment (FDI) and other form of foreign investments.
The Indian delegation identified Interactive Technology, telecommunication, manufacturing, health, banking, education, and energy as potential sectors for bilateral trade.
Replying to a question regarding the Indian government's recent move to export rice to Bangladesh, Gulshan said, “It's very sad that the people in Bangladeshi are suffering from price hike of essentials. I think interactions between the government of Bangladesh and India should be strengthened further in this regard.”
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