Romania urged to hire skilled workforce from Bangladesh

Mentioning Bangladesh has some of the world’s best-skilled construction workers, Mayor of Dhaka South City Corporation (DSCC) Barrister Sheikh Fazle Noor Taposh on Monday urged Romanian entrepreneurs to hire Bangladeshi skilled workers for the construction sector.

He made the call as the chief guest at a dialogue titled, “Exploring Trade and Investment Opportunities Between Bangladesh and Romania” organised by the Dhaka Chamber of Commerce & Industry (DCCI) at its office in Dhaka.

Mayor of the 3rd District of Bucharest, Romania Robert Negoita was present as the special guest at the event.

Taposh also urged the government of Romania to establish their diplomatic mission in Dhaka, hoping it would foster the bilateral trade relationship and take it to a new height.

He also hoped for an intense trade relationship between Bangladesh and Romania. However, for that relationship to flourish, it’s important for the business communities of the two countries to visit one another, he said.

Both-way tourism can be a game-changer in terms of bilateral trade relations, Taposh mentioned.

“Bangladesh government has given capital or profit repatriation facility to the foreign investors; therefore we are inviting Romanian investors to invest in the economic zones of Bangladesh to avail this facility,” DSCC mayor also said.

He added that a Help Desk will be established in DCCI’s Motijheel Office soon. Business entities can get their Trade License renewed from this desk easily.

Meanwhile, Robert Negoita also urged for a reciprocal relationship among the business community of both countries.

Exchange of business delegation will enhance the communication, he said, adding that Romania can be the gateway to Europe for Bangladesh, and to avail, this opportunity investing in Romania will boost Bangladesh’s export to Europe.

“We can provide agriculture products and technology to Bangladesh. Textiles products of Bangladesh have good business opportunities in Romania. Romanian textile sector needs a skilled workforce that Bangladesh has an opportunity to export,” he also said. 

Speaking at the programme, DCCI President Rizwan Rahman said the Bangladesh government is now emphasising intensifying economic diplomacy, prioritising global integration.

“The cross-border trade link of Bangladesh is in good shape with Europe, USA, Africa and the Middle East. Romania has been a proven export destination of Bangladesh for a long time. The bilateral trade between Bangladesh and Romania hovers around $49.97 million, of which Bangladesh imports only account for $27.39 million,” he added.

He requested Romanian businessmen to source furniture, plastic, pharmaceutical, ship, jute, leather products and RMG from Bangladesh at a relatively competitive price.

DCCI and the Romanian private sector can play a pivotal role to harness mutual potential. To steer all potential economic cooperation, Rizwan added.

Bilateral Investment Treaties (BIT), signed in 1987, can be implemented to allow Romanian investors to invest in Bangladesh rewarding and competitive economic zones in the aforesaid sectors including the automobile sector, he said said.

Benjir Ahmed, former President of Bangladesh Association of International Recruiting Agencies (BAIRA) said Bangladesh is ready to export skilled, semi-skilled and unskilled workforce to Romania.

Senior Vice President of BKMEA Mansoor Ahmed said that there is a great opportunity for Bangladesh’s RMG exporters to increase their export to Romania.

DCCI Senior Vice President Arman Haque gave the vote of thanks at the event.